Opinion & Perspectives
17 October, 2026
Opinion - Preparing for summer starts with us
Preparing for summer starts with usWith elections and major projects attracting attention across our shire, it is important to keep another priority firmly in view: summer is approaching, and now is the time to prepare for the fire season.
On Sunday, October 11, Cr Jenny Greenberger and I attended the Resilient Homes Expo in Lexton, where the entertaining and knowledgeable Costa Georgiadis was master of ceremonies.
The event offered practical ideas for preparing our homes and gardens for summer, alongside longer-term approaches to sustainability and resilience in a warming climate.
Like many residents, I love spending time in my garden. For me, much of the enjoyment comes from discovering what food I can grow for our family. I also value native plants for the habitat they provide for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Creating a beautiful, productive garden while considering bushfire risk requires thoughtful choices.
Plant characteristics such as moisture content, leaf type, oils and bark can influence flammability.
However, CFA advises that the location and arrangement of plants have a greater effect on bushfire risk than plant choice alone. How we design and maintain our gardens matters as much as what we grow.
Among the useful resources I collected were guides to firewise gardening and landscaping for bushfire. I also discovered Which Plant Where, a free online resource that helps users select plants suited to current and future climate conditions.
I encourage fellow gardeners to explore www.whichplantwhere.com.au and use it alongside CFA’s bushfire landscaping advice when planning their gardens.
These gardening booklets will also be available at the annual Halls Gap community barbecue at the recreation reserve oval on Monday, October 19.
The event starts at 5.30pm and is hosted by Halls Gap CFA and Halls Gap Kitchen Cabinet.The get-together will provide an opportunity to ask questions, review your preparations and connect with emergency services, Northern Grampians Shire Council and local community groups. It is also a chance to catch up with neighbours over a shared meal.
The event is free, and meat will be provided. In the spirit of a good old-fashioned community barbecue, please bring a salad or side dish to share if you can. Everyone is encouraged to come along.
For those unable to attend, CFA and local brigades will provide similar fire-preparedness information sessions at Stawell Agricultural Show on Saturday, October 24 between 9am and 3pm and Stuart Mill Community Centre on Sunday, October 25 between 12pm and 2pm.
Preparing for summer can feel like a big task, but I liked ‘Costa’s Challenge’, which was, just do these four things today: one thing around your property, one thing in my garden, one thing to improve my emergency plan and one thing to stay connected in preparation for this summer.
I look forward to seeing you at the barbecue and helping our community prepare for the summer ahead.
Read More: Stawell