Cr Brian Hetherton at the bridge over Grasmere Creek on Old Coach Road.By Jim Mynard
HARKAWAY residents have reacted angrily to a joint Casey Council CFA statement that Old Coach Road from Harkaway to Berwick is not for public use.
The statement said the road was a fire access track and could only be used in case of emergency and under police direction.
Former Berwick councillor Warwick Glendenning has led a protest against having what has been accepted as an optional escape route closed.
However, Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton said the CFA had upgraded its management of fire fighting and this meant a decision to close the track irrespective of why it was built.
Cr Hetherton said the CFA data shows that fires were fought differently to the days of the Ash Wednesday fires.
“Researchers have looked at the casualty statistics and figures show that most injuries and deaths occurred when people tried to flee a fire.
“This provides a simple message and that comes from the CFA that residents must make their decisions now on whether they stay and fight or leave when the first warning of fire comes.
“You must have a plan and you must make that plan now.
“If you decide to go then as soon as you get a warning of smoke you go.
“Please put your treasured possessions and pets in the car and move to a safe area.
“Don’t create congestion on the roads by leaving your move to the last minute.
“If you decide to stay and fight the fire then be sure you have prepared your property and have the right equipment, but have it inside the house.
“Have the bath, pots and containers filled with water and close out radiant heat.
“Fill the spouts with water and don’t let embers get inside the house.
“Clear combustible fuel away from the house.
“We keep saying this and the message is very important,” he said.
However, Mr Glendenning is less than pleased about closure of the road and will be meeting with council representatives tomorrow to discuss the issue.
He said the council had a duty of care to Harkaway residents who have been of the belief that Old Coach Road was an escape route.
“Residents have been treated with contempt because the council did no more than make a press release to the newspaper that the road could not be used.
“Not everyone sees a newspaper and this advice should have been given to every householder by letter,” he said.
“What will people do if a fire hits at 2am and they can’t use that road to get out?
“If the rules have been changed they should let residents know,” he said.
Mr Glendenning said the situation at Harkaway is so serious that had the Ash Wednesday fire been one degree further west it would have taken Harkaway out.
