Maureen Tait lives in the seniors’ public housing block on Moore Street, which is nestled between the Creswick Creek and the eastern edge of the Creswick Regional Park. 

She said council and state government bodies had done little to address the rapid grass growth which borders the 32-unit complex, posing a serious fire risk to residents, particularly those who are immobile.

“All we’ve got is this road, and if (a fire) really started going we have nowhere to go,” Ms Tait said.  

“We see kids coming through here and kids are going to be kids with their matches and smokes, but this would go so quickly if a fire came through.” 

Hepburn Shire Council general manager of infrastructure Bruce Lucas said: “Where non-compliance with a fire prevention notice is identified (required works and due date), enforcement works are typically undertaken to ensure the hazard is removed.”

The concerns come after Creswick residents also queried the extensive grass growth on a block of land on Albert Street which neighbours the town’s CFA station. 

Grass on the privately owned block stood at well over one metre tall before being trimmed by council last week. 

“We have issued over 500 fire prevention notices so far this fire season, which is significantly more than previous years,” Mr Lucas said. 

“We would much prefer to be issuing fewer notices or ideally zero notices, as this would mean all properties are clean and well prepared which is our ultimate goal.”

It follows a Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre warning from November that cautioned of the growing threat of grass fire.

CFA District 15 operations manager Brett Boatman said properties on urban fringes were particularly vulnerable to grass fires, which are increasing due to excess fuel.  “Particularly given wet winter and spring that fuel is starting to come on line,” Mr Boatman said