Shire considers expanding Neighbourhood Safer Place in Aireys Inlet

THE Surf Coast Shire council is considering expanding the existing Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) in Aireys Inlet by about 2,000 square metres.
Councillors considered the extension at their meeting on Tuesday this week.
The shire has 10 designated NSPs, which are required to be assessed annually under the CFA Act.
The NSP in Aireys Inlet is located at the bottom shops on a wide road reserve managed by the council.
Council staff have been working with the CFA and the Municipal Fire Management Committee to improve the shelter options in Aireys Inlet, which is considered one of the towns in the Surf Coast at highest risk of bushfire.
With support of the Municipal Fire Management Committee, the extension – which is a section of the neighbouring road reserve to the north-west – was proposed for assessment and has now been certified by the CFA as compliant with the CFA Assessment Guidelines.
After the Black Saturday bushfires, and during the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, the state government amended the CFA Act to require councils in the country area of Victoria to identify, designate, establish and maintain suitable places as NSPs in their municipal district.
Also known as Bushfire Places of Last Resort, NSPs are locations that may provide some protection from direct flame and heat from a fire, but they do not guarantee safety.
NSPs are not an alternative to planning to leave early or to stay and defend your property, or an appropriate destination when leaving the area, but a place of last resort if all other fire plans have failed.
NSPs are an existing location and not a purpose-built, fire-proof structure.
The CFA says it is important to know that many NSPs are simply a clearing that provides separation distance from the bushfire hazard (such as a forest).
For more information on NSPs, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/neighbourhood-safer-places.