Extreme heat forces changes to shire services, V/line trains

SEVERAL facilities across the Surf Coast Shire and council services will close or run differently tomorrow (Saturday, February 22) as a result of the CFA’s forecast “Extreme” Fire Danger Rating (FDR) for the South West district.

In a statement issued earlier today (Friday, February 21), the shire said the measures were being put in place to protect the safety of community and council employees.

The main changes include:

* The closure of the Anglesea Landfill and Re-sale Shed and Anglesea Transfer Station will have reduced operating hours: 9am-10am;

* Lorne Transfer station will be closed

* Shire-managed reserves (including sports grounds) and facilities in bushfire risk areas will be closed

* Public litter bins and public toilets in high bushfire risk areas will only be serviced before 10am, and potentially in the evening should conditions ease

* Lorne and Anglesea Visitor Information Centres will be closed. A remote service will be available from Torquay.

* A scheduled composting and worm farming workshop in Freshwater Creek has been cancelled. Registered attendees have been notified.

* Anglesea Art Space will be closed, and

* Geelong Regional Library Corporation’s mobile library visit to Anglesea has been cancelled

The shire says its Facebook and Instagram pages will have further updates as they become available.

Based on the CFA’s forecast, it is expected all services will return to standard operation on Sunday February 23.

Additionally, an extreme heat timetable will be in place tomorrow for trains on V/Line’s Geelong line.

Train speed restrictions are enforced when temperatures exceed 36 degrees to reduce the likelihood of train and track faults, while also ensuring passenger safety.

As a result, journey times will be extended as train speed times are reduced.

Drinking water will be on board trains, and passengers are encouraged to travel with bottled water and wear cool clothing.

Passengers are asked to check the extreme heat timetables on the V/Line website before travelling to see if there are any changes to their services, and to allow extra time when travelling.

The latest public transport information and network status are available at vline.com.au, ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au