TasFarmers, Media Release, 22 January 2026

Farmers across the north of the state are increasingly worried by the huge fuel load on the roadside, especially in the Meander Valley, Northern Midlands and Latrobe Municipalities and on roads controlled by the state government.

“The risk of a catastrophic fire caused by too much long grass and weeds on the edges of the roads is increasing by the day,” said TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman.

“In the past 24 hours we have seen a fire start between Exton and Westbury on the Bass Highway in this excessive growth.

“The impact of out of control fires on Victorian farmers is becoming more serious by the day, and we will be facing the same situation here if nothing is done very soon.

“TasFarmers is having a constant stream of calls into the office from a wide area expressing concerns that if this isn’t addressed immediately, then we are only a hot windy day away from a widespread catastrophic fire.

“This needs action and it needs it now – surely we should be better than this. Every year landholders are urged to manage their fire risk, but we constantly see this double standard from the state and some local governments.

“Landholders can manage their own risk of ignition through good practice, but that isn’t the case on public roads. All it will take is a stray cigarette butt or someone up to no good and we will be fighting fires instead of farming,” said Mr Calman.

TasFarmers are seeking responses from each of these councils and State Growth as to their immediate plan of action to reduce fuel loads and help protect private property from the effects of uncontrolled fires.