Melbourne residents will be able to cross the metro-regional Victoria divide to prepare their second properties for fire season under a new permit.
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes has announced the permit will allow those in metropolitan Melbourne and other locked-down regions to undertake fire preparedness activities at their second property in regional Victoria.
Until Victoria hits 80 per cent vaccination coverage of its 16-plus population on or around November 5, Melburnians are effectively banned from travelling into the regions.
The new fire-related travel permits will be issued by local councils from next week, and property owners will need to provide details such as the property's location, type of work and date of travel as part of their application.
Those given permits must continue to observe the COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne and other locked-down areas once they arrive in regional Victoria.
"We know how important it is to be prepared for the upcoming fire season - this system allows for this vital work while keeping regional communities safe," Ms Symes said in a statement on Thursday.
"Our emergency services agencies are preparing for the upcoming fire season and we're asking all Victorians to do their bit to prepare in a COVID-safe way."
The state government has recommended regional property owners use local contractors or neighbours to determine if fire preparedness work is needed.
Local contractors should also be used to undertake preparedness work where possible, it says.
