The City of Greater Bendigo has designated the Axedale P.S oval as a bushfire place of last resort for the upcoming fire danger period.
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COGB director health and wellbeing Vicky Mason said the location met the approvals for the 2018/2019 fire danger period and was supported by the school community.
“The community needs to be very aware that designated bushfire places of last resort should only be used if all other plans have failed,” Ms Mason said.
“The Axedale site is the school oval only. No buildings are involved and residents cannot expect anyone including emergency services to be present.”
Ms Mason said bushfire places of last resort were a final option for people to shelter in scenarios where all other plans had failed.
“They consist of a piece of open ground and should not be considered as places to relocate when leaving early,” she said.
“Safety and survival cannot be guaranteed at these sites as support services will not be provided as these locations offer minimum protection against radiant heat and embers as they are purely a piece of open ground.
“They are a place of last resort, in bushfire emergencies only, that may assist people when there is imminent threat of bushfire and they have no plan, or their planned options are not possible.
“On hot dry windy days, leaving the area early before there is any chance of fire activity, including along your travel path is always the safest option.
“There are no provisions at bushfire places of last resort for people and their pets or animals so having a well prepared fire plan around a more suitable location is a much better option. These locations are designed for when plans have failed to provide last resort option to survive a fire that comes with no guarantees.”
Other bushfire places of last resort in Greater Bendigo include:
Centro Lansell - Lansell Plaza shopping Centre car park, Calder Hwy Kangaroo Flat
Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street Bendigo
Canterbury Park car park and events area, Simpsons Road Eaglehawk
North Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo
Maiden Gully Primary School, basketball courts, Carolyn Way, Maiden Gully
Lord's Raceway, McIvor Highway, Junortoun
Strathfieldsaye Primary School playing fields, Uxbridge Street, Strathfieldsaye
Dower Park, Station Street, Kangaroo Flat
Redesdale Recreation Reserve Oval
Heathcote Holy Rosary Primary School Oval
Visit the CFA website for information on how to develop a fire and emergency plan and go to https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/neighbourhood-safer-places/ for information on last resort locations.
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