Track policy under fire

By Jim Mynard
FIRE protection lobbyist Warwick Glendenning has challenged a statement by Casey manager of works and operations Alex Michelli that residents should stay off the fire track between Baker Road, Harkaway, and Old Coach Road, Berwick.
Mr Glendenning has persistently raised the fire danger issue for Harkaway and said the former City of Berwick established the fire tracks as escape routes after Ash Wednesday in 1983.
He asked if an accident or fire blocked Harkaway Road, where would people go?
Mr Michelli said the council’s policy was for the tracks to be available only to firefighting vehicles.
Mr Michelli said the Fire Act said councils must prepare a fire prevention plan, and the council at its Tuesday, 17 October meeting adopted a plan that clearly stated fire access tracks provided links for fire vehicles.
“They are not for people to use as evacuation routes,” Mr Michelli said.
“People should make a decision on whether they leave or stay before the fire arrives.
“The CFA does not want tracks used for evacuation at the last minute.
“The CFA could at the time of crisis use them for evacuation in rare circumstances, however, the CFA would not order people to evacuate.
“That is a police responsibility.
“We do not want people staying in a fire area until it is too late and then using the fire tracks.
Mr Michelli said the tracks were closed during the nonfire season to prevent illegal use and vandalism.
“We need to avoid the situation of a standard car filled with people and family possessions weighed down and getting on the tracks,” he said.
He said tracks were closed in the offseason because if they were left open they would be wrecked.
“We do not want people using the tracks in everyday life,” he said.
The CFA had not responded with its policy when the Gazette went to press.