Whittlesea residents face fines of up to almost $17,000 and jail terms if they fail to reduce fire hazards on their properties, council has warned.
Fire prevention officer Dave Foster said on-the-spot fines were now $1408, but if the matter went to court and the ratepayer lost, they could be fined $16,901 or face a year in jail. He said fire hazard inspections were being carried out.
