Get fire ready

By Jade Lawton and Kelly Yates
THE CFA warned a group of 20 Harkaway residents to prepare a bushfire survival plan rather than rely on a Neighbourhood Safer Place.
The CFA’s Barrie Stewart lectured the crowd at Harkaway Hall on Wednesday night that planning was essential.
“It’s critical everyone has a bushfire survival plan, especially those here in Harkaway,” he said.
“The vegetation and road network here is a concern,” he said.
Mr Stewart encouraged residents to recognise the high risk fire days.
“They are the days where there are strong winds and high temperatures,” he said.
“Residents also need to be aware of the amount of fuel near their homes such as bark, shrubs and twigs. Be prepared for bushfire and plan to survive.”
The call comes as CFA officials advised that the Harkaway township protection plan due out next month may not include a Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP).
CFA’s Westernport region project officer Phil Craig warned a group of residents at the Narre Warren North Hall on Thursday night that a NSP had to be assessed by the council and then by the CFA.
“It’s a fairly detailed process from identification. None have been formally approved as yet but just because there is not one now doesn’t mean there won’t be one in the future,” he said.
“Even if anything we looked at now wasn’t approved, that doesn’t mean that in 12 months time something else won’t be put in,” he said.
“You can never say never.”
Harkaway resident Bill Peeler suggested the Hanson-owned Harkaway Quarry, on Noack Road, be considered as a NSP.
“It has road access, water, toilets,” he said.
Mr Craig said privately-owned property was difficult to secure as a NSP as it raised insurance issues.
The crowd was warned that NSP were a place of last resort and would not guarantee protection from the elements and would have no facilities for the injured or elderly.
Another resident described Black Saturday in Harkaway as a ‘shemozzle’ with cars parked on the road and people walking on foot.
“Some residents were not able to return to their homes until Sunday afternoon – that may deter them from leaving again.”
Mr Craig said a new police road block system, where residents were identified by wristbands, should offer quicker access.