Use quarry as refuge

THE Harkaway Hansen Quarry is to finish mining rock in November.
Why can’t it then be a converted to a neighbourhood safer place – the new name from the Bush Fires Royal Commission?
The quarry management says the services at the quarry offices like water tank, toilets and shower rooms, electric power, lunch and office rooms will all be removed by Christmas if Casey Council does not make quick decisions to acquire them, buy or lease, as shelter services.
Rock sales will continue from stockpiles for some time and so the weighbridge and electric power there will stay for a while.
In August, I asked a Casey Council representative to obtain an officers’ report on aspects of investing in these assets at the quarry but all that has happened is that the CFA is to assess the possibilities.
At the 14 September public meeting Edrington Ward councillor Daniel Munro could not make a public announcement on that quarry as a NSP; as fire refuges are now to be named!
I’ve asked him to investigate two alternative extra entry gates. The first is 150 metres south of Baker Road, near Waldorf Creek where high mesh wire gates exist. The second possible new entry gate is along Baker Road.
Both entries will need Casey to make short new roads from these gates down into the very large open spaces around the quarry office buildings.
However, the CFA and Casey need to liaise very quickly with Hansen Quarry management to secure the present building assets there!
By 21 September quarry management have had no contact from CFA nor Casey.
Syd Pargeter,
Ash Wednesday
Mayor of City of Berwick,
Harkaway.