Fires fears

By Melissa Meehan
They say they are worried there could be a repeat of Ash Wednesday if fire hazards throughout the town are not reduced.
Their fears were raised at Monday night’s council meeting during community question time.
Brennan Avenue residents Ali Hudson and Lynette Lameris said that over the past few years they had spoken on numerous occasions with Cardinia Shire Council staff about fire protection plans in Brennan Estate.
“We want the council to take responsible and appropriate action by reducing the fuel load by means of a cool burn in the areas of greatest need at the back of residences abutting the Brennan Reserve,” Ms Hudson said.
Ms Lameris said that the 1983 fires were terrible in the area.
“I know that the animals and fauna must be protected, but what about people first?” she said.
“No clearing has happened in six years or more.”
Both women said they were worried that if clearing was left too late they could be faced with an even more stressful fire season.
The council’s acting general manager of assets and services, Brad Hurren, said the council had discussed a prescribed burn in the area with the CFA and was waiting on a response.
But Ms Hudson said it was not a satisfactory response considering she had been asking the same question for the past two years.
See the Gazette next week for more on fire risks in the shire.