By DANIELLE GALVIN
PLACES of last resort in Emerald and Cockatoo are ready following months of preparations.
Cardinia Shire councillors moved an item of urgent business to let the hills communities know that the Worrell Reserve in Emerald and Cockatoo Mountain Road Sports Complex were compliant with CFA radiant heat exposure requirements.
The council’s general manager of Corporate Services Derek Madden said the council was in a position to inform the communities that the Neighbourhood Safer Places-Places of Last Resort were ready before the end of the fire season.
He said the Emerald and Cockatoo communities supported the process.
Councillor Brett Owen said there were a total of three places of last resort following the process including the Gembrook Community Centre grounds.
“As the report outlines, all three local CFA brigades, Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald, will be contacted directly and will be provided with support material for distribution to the community,” he said.
“My understanding is that CFA takes the lead in relation to communication of this.”
Cr Owen said the council would support fire brigades to “get the message across” and that the designation was an important step in the emergency management process.
“It is really important if you are a resident of the hills, that you do make yourself known to these NSPs what they mean and please access the council website,” he said.
“Or attend a library, read the Connect edition, or the newspaper, and I’ve heard the CFA website is really good.”
Cr Leticia Wilmot seconded the motion and said it was important that residents understood that the places of last resort are not the first places to go on a fire danger day.
“Places of last resort are a horrific place to be, it’s not where you want to be on a danger day when there is a fire in your area… it is certainly the last place you want to be,” she said.
“If your plans fail and if you need somewhere that is safer than what your home environment might be offering you, it is an alternative.
**BREAK OUT BOX**
Cardinia Shire Council advises that places of last resort does not guarantee safety or survival:
– It is not a fire refuge or relief centre;
– CFA or other emergency services will not be present;
– There will be no food or drink, material aid or other support services available;
– Community alerting or fire sirens are not a signal for people to evacuate to a place of last resort;
– There is no power or access to toilets;
– Conditions may be poor including poor visibility, ember attack, smoke and high winds, and there will be no direction or instruction from emergency services.
