At the beginning of what has been predicted to be a highly dangerous fire season, Hepburn Shire Council has announced that the Neighbourhood Safer Place at the Hepburn Recreation Reserve has been decommissioned.
The CFA defines Neighbourhood Safer Places (known as Neighbourhood Safer Places – Bushfire Places of Last Report (NSP-BPLRs)) as places of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed. They are locations that may provide some protection from direct flame and heat from a fire, but they do not guarantee safety. They are not an alternative to planning to leave early or to stay and defend your property – they are a place of last resort if all other fire plans have failed.
The Hepburn Recreation Reserve was such a place but the CFA has determined that it “no longer meets the Australian Standards.”
Ron Torres, Director Development and Community, said “As part of the CFA’s annual assessment, the Hepburn Recreation Reserve was reassessed, and required decommissioning by the CFA Assessment Guidelines. There are other NSPs in Hepburn Shire, and the closest one for Hepburn and Hepburn Springs is in Daylesford.”
That means that Hepburn residents, if they find themselves without a safe place in a fire, must go to the nearest NSP-BPLR, which is Vincent Street Daylesford.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts that on Sunday and Monday, we will experience 34° to 37° temperatures in the Daylesford/Hepburn area. The Fire Danger Rating for Monday is “Extreme”.
Imagine a scenario in which a “catastrophic” bushfire sweeps out of the forest to the north of Hepburn, pushed by high temperatures and strong winds. It will sweep up Doctor’s Gully, threatening many in the Hepburn community who, for various reasons, may not have left in time. The traffic on the Hepburn–Daylesford road will be chaotic with low visibility, raging wind, high temperatures and possibly fallen trees. Just one collision will close the road. Worse, emergency services coming the other way will not be able to get through. Such a situation could end in tragedy
Council made the announcement about the decommissioning on their News website on December 6th, 2024 and on their Facebook page but many in the community will not be aware of the change. The Wombat Post has tried to find out why, when and how the decommissioning occurred but the result has been disappointing. CFA officers have referred us to Council; Council has responded that it is a CFA responsibility.
Guidelines for the Assessment of NSP-BPLRs were published in 2020, but it was not until recently that, “as part of the CFA’s annual assessment, the Hepburn Recreation Reserve was reassessed, and required decommissioning by the CFA Assessment Guidelines.” It is not clear from CFA or Council authorities whether the conditions at the Reserve have changed in the last four years or the Guidelines have been applied differently.
Ron Torres said, “Council will continue to work with the CFA on identifying and designating potential replacement sites.” While news of the cooperation between Council and the CFA is welcome, the problem seems to require a much more dramatic and immediate response. At the very least, Council and the CFA need to communicate clearly and thoroughly with Hepburn community so that they are aware of the changes and the consequences.
Residents in the Hepburn and Hepburn Springs areas should reconsider their Bushfire Plans urgently if the Hepburn Recreation Reserve was a factor in those plans.
Related Stories:
