Landscaping for Bushfire Merton

Merton Fire Brigade and CFA Community Safety, are hosting a FREE Landscaping for Bushfire information session for the community of Merton and surrounding areas.

The location, type and ongoing maintenance of vegetation within a property can significantly reduce the impact of a bushfire on any house. Join Owen Gooding, the author of CFA Landscaping for Bushfire: Garden Design and Plant Selection for a discussion on the considerations for design and plant selection for bushfire that can help reduce the effects of direct flame contact and radiant heat on a house.

Sunday 23 August 2026

10.00 am - 12.00pm. Lunch until 1pm.

Merton Town Hall - 17 Shaws Road, Merton. Victoria. 3715

Q&A session after presentation. Lunch included. The event is FREE.

More about Landscaping for Bushfire: Garden Design and Plant Selection -

When modifying an existing garden or designing a new one, you need to consider the placement of garden beds, trees and other flammable objects.

You should aim to keep the area around your house and other structures (such as carports and sheds) free of plants that can easily catch fire and then ignite the buildings. You should also separate the flammable elements from each other and the house itself.

Garden design should incorporate the following four principles:

• Create defendable space

• Remove flammable objects from around the house

• Break up fuel continuity (keep plants separate)

• Carefully select, locate and maintain trees.

Resource available online at: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property/landscaping

Register for the event before Friday 3pm, 21 August 2026

For more information on the session contact your local CFA Community Engagement Coordinator northeastcommsafety@cfa.vic.gov.au or 0407 604 012

Representatives from the Merton Brigade and Mansfield Shire will be attending.

Victorian Fire Risk Register (VFRR)
The Victorian Fire Risk Register - Bushfire (VFRR-B) is a process in which representatives from local government, fire services, public land managers, utilities and community groups map assets at risk from bushfire and assess the level of risk to those assets. Some of the private residences in the Mansfield Shire are rated at Extreme, Very High and High bushfire risk in the VFRR. While there may not be fires in the local landscape currently, it is strongly recommended and encouraged that all residents are aware of their bushfire risk and take responsibility for the safety of their themselves, family, pets and livestock.

This event is supported by the Mansfield Shire, Merton Memorial Hall Committee and Upper Goulburn Landcare Network.

Photo credit: the botanical planet