Alarm over warning plan

By Tania Martin
A HILLS bushfire group claims a new proposed early warning system could still leave locals in danger.
This comes as the State Government recently contracted Telstra to provide the $15 million fixed and mobile National Emergency Warning System (NEWS).
Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the system would alert people of dangers by a recorded voice message on landline telephones or a text message on mobiles and would be based on billing addresses.
“Telstra is well-placed to manage the system and the complex requirements of this project.”
Mr Cameron said comprehensive tests would also be undertaken in November in a bid to get the system up and running by the next fire season.
But Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group (DRCBG) spokeswoman Melanie Gajdek said the group had a number of concerns about the system.
She said the group still had grave concerns over the new system reaching residents in the event of a fire because of the limited mobile coverage and problems with landlines being cut off from power.
Ms Gajdek said there was limited mobile reception in the Dandenongs and called for greater coverage in the area.
She said there was also the risk of phone lines being taken out as trees regularly fell across roads, cutting power to homes in the hills.
Ms Gajdek said the new system had not taken into account the tourists.
“Unless tourists can register with Telstra as entering the area to receive a warning, they will not get a message,” she said.
The DRCBG is also continuing to work on getting its own warning system set up in Sassafras.
In August the group was donated a state-of-the-art system from an American company but is still trying to get the project up and running.
“The world leading technology is being received very well so far…it’s a matter of convincing those who are not aware of this that we must bring our current warning systems up to the world’s best,” Ms Gajdek said.
“It could be integrated into the NEWS system and would require minimal training.”