Surf Coast Shire residents are asked to stay vigilant today as we expect temperatures exceeding 43 degrees, it won’t last long though, the Berea of Meteorology are forecasting that a cool change will arrive late today.

Services on Code Red & Extreme days

Saturday 6 January 2018 has been declared a day of total fire ban for the entire state of Victoria. This means no fires can be lit or left burning in the open air between 12.01am and 11.59pm on Saturday. Find out what you can and can’t do on a total fire ban day on the CFA’s website.

Saturday 6 January 2018 has also been declared a Extreme fire danger day for our forecast district (Central). Now is the time to review and prepare to put your fire plan into action.

See our Getting Fire Ready page for more information on preparing for Extreme fire danger days.

On Saturday 6 January 2018 the following services will be impacted:

• Lorne, Winchelsea and Anglesea Visitor Information Centres will be closed. Torquay will remain open.
• Winchelsea Pool will remain open.
• Lorne Transfer station will be closed.
• Winchelsea Transfer station will be open 1.30pm to 3.30pm
• Anglesea landfill will be open from 5am to 10am and Anglesea Transfer Station will be open from 9am to 10am.
• Street litter bins will be collected earlier.

Council services on Code Red and Extreme days

The Surf Coast has a number of communities that face a heightened risk of bushfire during the Fire Danger Period. As a result of this risk, a number of Council and government-run services will change their operation on days of Extreme or Code Red Fire Danger Rating. These days are rare but reflect conditions that present the highest levels of bushfire risk.

Where possible, Council will seek to keep services operating while keeping in mind our responsibility to ensure our community and staff that are delivering services are not placed at risk.

Download our Council Services Factsheet for a detailed list of these changes.

Check the CFA website for current fire danger ratings.

Schools and kindergartens

The Victorian Department of Education and Training governs arrangements for schools in areas that experience a high bushfire risk. Schools in Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bellbrae and Deans Marsh are affected on days of Code Red and Extreme fire danger rating. To find out more, visit the Department of Education and Training website.

The Department of Education and Training also puts in place arrangements for kindergartens that are on the Bushfire At Risk Register as follows:

• Parents receive at least 48 hours’ notice in writing of any closures on potential days of Code Red bushfire rating
• All kindergartens follow their emergency plans on days of Code Red or Extreme fire danger. Kindergarten staff can provide more information on these plans to parents.

General council services

On days rated as posting Extreme fire danger, Council will attempt to keep services open where possible, with altered arrangements to reflect the fire risk

• Visitor Information Centres will remain open pending staff availability and advice from Emergency Services on conditions. Services in Lorne, Anglesea or Winchelsea may be reduced.
• The Anglesea landfill will open only from 5am until 10am and Anglesea waste transfer station will open from 9am to 10am.
• Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations may close pending advice from emergency services and staff availability.  Contact Council on 5261 0600 to confirm details.
• Kerbside waste collection will be collected from 3am to 10am. Roadside litter bins will be emptied from early in the morning.
• Afternoon immunisation sessions in Lorne and Anglesea will be cancelled.
• Winchelsea swimming pool and health club would stay open subject to advice from emergency services.
• Delivered meals would operate with an altered schedule. Some home and community care work in areas of elevated fire risk will be rescheduled.
• Community engagement sessions and on-site meetings involving Council staff may be rescheduled to reduce fire risks.
• Mobile library services may not operate in areas of elevated fire risk (including Lorne, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Deans Marsh).
• Senior Citizen’s Centres in areas of elevated fire risk (including Lorne, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Deans Marsh) will be advised to close.

On days rated as Code Red fire danger (the highest on the scale), the CFA advises people to leave areas of high fire risk early. Changes to Council services include

• No kerbside waste collections will operate, with collections to be rescheduled.
• Anglesea Landfill and waste transfer station will be closed.
• Lorne waste transfer station will be closed.
• Winchelsea waste transfer station will be closed.
• Lorne Visitor Information Centre, Anglesea Visitor Information Centre and Winchelsea Visitor Centre will all be closed. Torquay Visitor Information Centre will remain open pending advice from emergency services.
• Afternoon immunisation sessions in Lorne and Anglesea will be cancelled.
• Winchelsea swimming pool is likely to be closed subject to advice from emergency services.
• Delivered meals services will not operate and home and community care services would be cancelled.  People receiving these services would be advised to activate their emergency plans.
• Community engagement sessions and on-site meetings involving Council staff may be rescheduled to reduce fire risks.
• All sport and recreation centres will be closed including Surf Coast Sport and Recreation Centre and Winchelsea Pool.
• Council’s Community Bus service will not be able to operate.
• The Geelong Regional Mobile Library service will not operate.
• All senior citizen’s centres will be advised to close.
• Some services at Council’s Torquay office may operate with reduced capacity.

Events on Code Red and Extreme Fire Danger Rating days

Events scheduled for days that are declared as having Code Red or Extreme fire danger rating may run pending advice from the CFA.  Check event websites for details.