Refuge firestorm

By Tania Martin
AN OLINDA man has slammed a council decision to close the town’s fire refuge saying that the community was not consulted.
John Faull said the closure of the refuge, which is located at the Olinda Community House on Olinda-Monbulk Road, would endanger not only residents but also visitors to the area if a bushfire breaks out.
But Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Noel Cliff said the council had to shut the refuge down because of insurance reasons.
Cr Cliff said in order for the council to be able to insure the land there needed to be a committee of management looking after the refuge.
He said the community had failed to set up a committee in time for the start of the fire season, which had led to council’s decision to close the refuge.
But Mr Faull said claims that the community had not been given any warning or been consulted about the closure.
He said the decision had been made by bureaucrats who had no idea about living on the mountain.
“People who get stuck on the mountain or don’t leave early need a safe place to go,” Mr Faull said.
The decision to close the fire refuge was made at a council meeting on Tuesday 27 November.
Cr Cliff also said the CFA had raised concerns over the operation of the fire refuge area.
“Every year they try and stop us from opening the refuge,” he said.
But CFA region 13 manager of community relations Ray Fritz said the idea of a fire refuge goes against the CFA bushfire strategy.
“Our key message is to encourage people to have a plan and either stay and actively defend their homes or leave and go to a safe place well in advance,” he said.
But Cr Cliff said every summer people worry about what to do in a bushfire and that the refuge was always a safe option for many.
Despite concern over the closure this is not the first time that the fire refuge has been shut down.
In 1997 the refuge was decommission following the bush fires in the Dandenongs but was reopened because of local demand.
But in 2003 the council closed it down again only to be met by opposition from local residents who called a public meeting, forcing the council to reconsider.
Since then the refuge committee of management has disbanded leading to the recent closure.
Mr Faull is now calling for the community to take action and help set up a committee so that the fire refuge can be reopened.
Anyone interested in helping to form a committee should call Mr Faull on 9751 1395.