Schools get set for

CARDINIA schools are among almost 730 set to close in the event of a Code Red (Catastrophic) fire day.
The Department of Education has released a list of 728 schools, kindergartens and child care centres across the state that will be closed on every Code Red day.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said although many schools listed for closure were in the 52 ‘high risk’ towns identified by fire authorities, many other schools outside these townships were also on the list.
“The list includes Officer Primary School, St Brigids, Harkaway Primary School, Beaconsfield Upper Primary School, Pakenham Hills Primary School and both the primary and secondary schools in Emerald,” Ms Lobato said.
She said the closures would ensure safety for children and to protect lives.
She said it would also assist parents who had students at these schools, who would know in advance that on a Code Red day, the school would close.
“These closures will ensure children are not in danger by attending a school in a high fire risk area.
“The closures apply to both government and non-government schools as well as other children’s services such as kinders,” she said. “Although the department will still endeavour to provide up to three days’ notice of a planned closure, this register enables unexpected weather patterns to be taken into account.
“If on a Sunday, for example, the Bureau of Meteorology advises a Code Red for the following day, parents of children who attend these schools will know that the service will be closed.”
Ms Lobato said that other schools not already on the list may be added by the department in consultation with parents and schools.
“A number of schools are still being assessed in terms of fire risk and may be added in coming weeks,” she said.
Other schools in Tammy’s electorate include schools in Gembrook and Cockatoo.
The register of schools is available from the website at www.education.vic.gov.au/bushfires.