Places of Last Resort (Neighbourhood Safer Places)
Strathbogie Shire Council in conjunction with the CFA is still refining its Township Protection Plans for its priority areas such as the Strathbogie and Ruffy Townships plus Mt Wombat due to its critical communication infrastructure. These plans will be incorporated into Council's Municipal Fire Prevention Plan.
Council has been working with the CFA since October 2009 this year to identify potential Places of Last Resort.
The Shire is awaiting CFA response but it is now unlikely this will be received before the new year. The Shire has no approved Places of Last Resort, please refer to the Fire Ready Guides and take appropriate Action.
Mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Howard Myers
Mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Howard Myers said, "We understand that communities are anxious to receive clear information about Places of Last Resort locations and to learn where no places of last resort have been identified and why. However the Shire must await approvals by the CFA. The information listed below outlines the process."
The process to identify these sites is:1. A CFA-certified site confirms a proposed location has adequate protection or separation distance to ensure the site won't exceed a prescribed maximum potential radiant heat.
- CFA certification is only the first step required under Victoria's new legislated model and does NOT mean that a site has been designated as a place of last resort
- Once certified the State then transfers the primary role for designating places of last resort to Council
2. Council will develop a Municipal Neighbourhood Safer Places (MNSP) Plan to comply with the requirements of the new legislation
- The Plan will provide the criteria against which Council is assessing each CFA-certified NSP for vegetation clearance, access and egress, buffer zone uses, and land ownership.
- Where a CFA-certified place of last resort is not on council-owned land, Council must negotiate a Consent and Indemnity Deed with the owner, and in some cases an occupier of a property
3. The above steps are critical as preservation of human life is Councils' primary goal plus:
- Our decisions, actions and advice are aimed at improving the chance of survival for anyone who shelters at a place of last resort when all other plans have failed.
- These are NOT inherently "safe" places and safety or survival cannot be guaranteed.
The Mayor then went on to say he was disappointed that the community of Strathbogie Shire would not have designated safer places in place by the new year and that as soon as the shire had any further information it would advise the community.
As soon as Council confirms the CFAs response on sites we will let the community know via local newspapers, community newsletters, radio and Council's website.
Please remember that places of last resort are just that. Individuals should enact their own individual fire plans on advice from the CFA and get out early if need be.
For more information: Marli Kelly 0409 410 178