Surf Coast Times & Bellarine Times

A new policy and $1.5 million has just been announced to progress an immediate pilot program for community fire refuges in very high bushfire risk locations.

The Community Fire Refuges Policy was part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to implement all 67 Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations, and the fire services commissioner has begun discussions with several local councils to identify appropriate pilot sites, with a decision to be made in the next month.

Community fire refuges are one of a number of contingency shelter options contained in Victoria’s Bushfire Safety Policy Framework and should be considered in the context of all of the survival options available to a community in a high bushfire risk area, according to fire services commissioner spokesperson Craig Lapsley.

“A community fire refuge is a designated building open to the public that can provide short-term shelter from the immediate life-threatening effects of a bushfire event.”

They offer a greater level of protection than neighbourhood safer places because they are purpose-built or modified buildings built to a performance standard aimed at ensuring their survival during a bushfire.

“Even though a locality has a high bushfire risk, building refuges may not be the most effective survival option for the local community. This will need to be considered carefully by local council and communities,” Mt Lapsley said.

The development of additional fire refuges will follow the pilot process, with ongoing funding possibly including contributions from the Commonwealth, state and local governments, community and private sources.

“The pilot program will mean working with local councils, community and emergency services including the CFA to initially build at least one community fire refuge and test not only the building itself but how it would operate. Community input will play an integral role in the pilot.”

High-risk bushfire areas which have limited survival options, where no neighbourhood safer place can be established, where communities have access and exit issues and leaving early is not an option, will be the initial targets of the pilot program. For example, an isolated community located in heavily forested country.