Doubt on warnings

By Tania Martin
A HILLS-based bushfire group is calling for the State Government to not focus on SMS text messages as the basis of its proposed early warning system.
They say an SMS system would be ‘no good’ for the Dandenongs.
This comes as the State Government last week called for tenders for the $28 million warning system.
Innovations Minister Gavin Jennings last Tuesday announced the warning system as one of 18 projects under stage two of the Smart SMEs Market Validation Program (MVP), which is designed to help turn Victorian technology ideas into innovative new products and services.
The program provides incentive for small to medium-sized businesses and research institutions to accelerate the conversion of their ideas into tangible solutions.
Mr Jennings said it was hoped that the warning system would integrate a range of mapping systems. “The development of a system this powerful would not only benefit Victoria during the hazardous bushfire season but could also provide early warnings to communities in flood and cyclone-prone areas such as Northern Queensland,” he said.
Dandenong Ranges Community Bush Fire Group spokeswoman Melanie Gajdek said although there was little information about the proposed system, an SMS based alert would not help in the hills.
She said there were many pockets in the Dandenongs with little or no mobile reception. “We also know many people who don’t have mobile phones,” she said.
Ms Gajdek said the other issue was that the phone lines are above ground, which means if a tree comes down in windy conditions it would cut connection to landlines.
She said it would also stop residents from being able to charge their mobile phones.
Ms Gajdek said a system for the hills would need to cover a number of aspects including audible sirens, electronic signboards, a pager message, and any communication device with alarm capabilities.
She said the bushfire group was now calling on the State Government to create a warning system design for the specific needs of the Dandenongs.
A State Government spokesman said the type of system would depend on what comes out of the tender process.