Signs of the times

By Casey Neill
DANDENONGS tourism operators have welcomed changes to roadside bushfire warnings, which they say hampered trade during summer.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato last week announced the move following complaints from community bushfire reference groups and other locals.
She said roadside signage in January warning drivers to avoid unnecessary travel badly affected businesses who relied on the tourism trade.
“While the protection of human life is of course the highest priority, signage must be accurate in its messages so as not to cause undue panic or concern when it is not warranted,” she said.
VicRoads has in consultation with the CFA and Yarra Ranges Council adjusted activation triggers for roadside messaging.
Signs will now be activated the night before a catastrophic ‘code red’ fire danger day instead of during the afternoon.
“This is in line with the CFA’s recommendation for residents to leave fire danger areas the night before or on the morning of such a day, and will mean that businesses do not lose afternoon trade,” Ms Lobato said.
“On code red days the message will warn motorists that fire risk is catastrophic and urge them to avoid unnecessary travel.”
Roadside signs will now be activated on the morning of an extreme fire risk day and will urge motorists to listen to local radio for updates.
“These adjustments send clear information consistent with CFA messages while not adversely impacting on trade or tourism, which are vital for the towns across the Dandenong Ranges and throughout the Upper Yarra,” Ms Lobato said.
Dandenong Ranges Tourism’s Michael Axel said the changes were an improvement.
“The tourism industry and operators welcome any initiative that enables people to safely enjoy the area,” he said.
However, he’d like to see more positive messages on the boards, such as ‘enjoy the area responsibly’.
Mr Axel said publicity had been centred on warning people to avoid the area on dangerous days.
“And that’s totally responsible,” he said.
“But all the publicity, all the spend, has been about warning people to stay away.”
“As well as the publicity that’s been given to the dangerous days, there should be ongoing publicity to say the Dandenongs etcetera is green and growing.”
CFA and VicRoads and Tourism Victoria are now developing statewide protocols for bushfire safety messages on roadside signage.