Workshop addresses bushfire concerns

The January 9 workshop, led by CFA Community Fireguard Facilitator Kylie McLaren, aimed to help people develop their own personal survival plans.

Ms McLaren was eager for people local to the area to have their input throughout, helping them to tailor their plans specifically for the region.

One of the primary concerns Fairhaven residents had was the Great Ocean Road possibly becoming a bottleneck if people were evacuating.

Surf Coast Shire council resilient communities officer Nick Guyett advised people not to wait until a fire starts to take action.

“You know the roads here. When a fire starts, you won’t be able to leave,” he said.

There was a strong focus on preventative measures and what people can do to keep their properties safe. This includes keeping lawns cut to below 10 centimetres, storing firewood away from houses, and cutting back all overhanging branches within 10 metres of houses.

Ms McLaren also emphasised that regardless of preparation, there were times when the only safe option is to leave.

“The safest option is leaving early.”

One of the questions asked by attendees was about Bushfire Places of Last Resort (BPLR), also known as Neighbourhood Safer Places. These are places where in a fire the radiant heat will be less than elsewhere in the area.

Fairhaven does not have any designated BPLRs, as no places in the town match the required criteria. The closest BLPR is the Aireys Inlet car park near the bottom shops opposite Inlet Crescent.

Others were concerned about specific areas in the township they felt were not fire-safe.

Mr Guyett suggested people with such worries phone the council to make them aware of the matter and take action if they agreed there was a fire hazard.

A similar workshop was held in Aireys Inlet in December, although very few people attended.

Several fliers were handed out, including a Leaving Early Bushfire Survival Planning Template. This provided a simple checklist to help people prepare for what they will depending on the Fire Danger Rating. It can be found at cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/your-bushfire-plan.

Another Bushfire Planning Workshop will be held at the Apollo Bay Fire Station on Saturday, January 18 at 10am.