Have your say at fire meeting

By Tania Martin
RESIDENT’S will be able to voice their concerns over fire safety in the Dandenongs at a meeting next month.
This is the next step in preparing a submission for the Royal Commission following the February fires.
A group of concerned residents have been working hard since the fires collecting locals’ views on the current fire safety of the ranges.
Ferny Creek’s Melanie Gajdek helped form the group after many residents were left on tender hooks following a number of close calls in February.
Ms Gajdek told the Mail it was important to address fire safety now to prevent a situation like Marysville in the hills.
For the past month the group has been compiling a survey on residents’ top five safety concerns.
Ms Gajdek said the response had been fantastic.
“We are proud of the community for recognising that this is about their safety and that it’s in their power to really contribute for all fire seasons to come,” she said.
Ms Gajdek said the meeting was the next step in finding a solution.
The event has been co-sponsored by Yarra Ranges Shire councillor Noel Cliff, Monbulk MP James Merlino and La Trobe MP Jason Wood.
Ms Gajdek said the community’s top five voted concerns would be used to form the basis of a submission to the Royal Commission on the Black Saturday fires.
“We have a government-appointed QC (Queen’s Counsel) helping with the submission,” she said.
Ms Gajdek said the group was looking forward to seeing the commission’s outcomes, especially for the hills region.
“If one person’s life may be saved as a result, it really is all worth it,” she said.
“We want to ask the community not to forget that we do live in the third most dangerous place in the world to live.”
“Let us seriously consider this and reflect upon the devastating mistakes of those that are not with us any more,” Ms Gajdek.
The meeting will be held on Sunday 3 May at Burrinja Gallery, 351 Glenfren Road, Upwey from 9am.