Bendigo's 'safer' places named

Updated November 7 2012 - 12:54am, first published November 16 2009 - 10:38am

THE CFA has released township protection plans for Victoria’s 52 bushfire hotspots.But the location of designated safe zones is still unclear, despite the CFA moving forward the fire danger period following this month’s record heatwave.The so-called neighbourhood safer places were recommended by the bushfires royal commission to provide a place of last resort for people trapped in a fire.The sites must be at least 310 metres clear of forest and other fuel sources or, in the case of structures, 140 metres to offer enough protection from radiant heat.Possible safer place locations in Bendigo - which has five suburbs identified in the list of 52 hotspots - include the Tom Flood Sports Centre, Queen Elizabeth Oval and Prince of Wales Showgrounds.A City of Greater Bendigo spokeswoman said several sites had been nominated as potential safer place locations.The spokeswoman said public and private sites including schools and shopping centres had been nominated, but did not reveal the sites council had nominated.Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the CFA had assessed all sites nominated by councils throughout Victoria to ensure they met radiant heat, fire safety and ease of access requirements.Mr Cameron said legislation ensuring council would be indemnified for establishing the sites would be debated in parliament next week.“The sites will be announced after that, but that is up to the councils,” he said.“What people have to realise is these places won’t be option A, they’re going to be option D.”Five central Victorian towns including Castlemaine and Macedon are also listed as bushfire danger areas.The township protection plans released by the CFA include a map with bushfire survival information and an explanation of the new fire danger rating system which was overhauled because of a royal commission recommendation.The township protection plans are available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Bendigo news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.