By Kath Gannaway
ABC Radio took a leading role in the devastating bushfires of 2009, and for the ensuing weeks as the threat of bushfire continued.
Many parts of the Upper Yarra, however, were not on the same potentially life-saving wavelength.
On Sunday, 29 October, Upper Yarra communities were connected to the ABC emergency broadcasts through a transmitter which will broadcast to the Upper Yarra over 96.1FM.
The launch of the 96.1FM transmitter was part of an outside broadcast from Warburton CFA station of the ABC 774 morning program with presenter Libbi Gorr.
Access to emergency radio was a major issue immediately after Black Saturday, and has been a priority project for which the Warburton Emergency Planning Group (WEPG) has been lobbying for the past five years.
WEPG members and members of local emergency services were joined by Emergency Management Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, Emergency Management Victoria, Casey MP Tony Smith, Yarra Ranges Councillor Jim Child and council officers, Chris Stevens, managing director of CartGIS emergency communications consultants and Jacqui Hall, director of Warburton Bendigo Community Bank for a special launch of the new radio facility.
Mr Lapsley described the provision of ABC Radio coverage to the Upper Yarra as ‘stellar’ and said the common factor in delivering recommendations of the Royal Commission across Yarra Ranges had been involvement of local communities.
He said a huge amount of work had been done with power lines and pointed to two fire refuges that had been built in Millgrove and East Warburton.
“Radio coverage we see delivered here today is absolutely stellar … and we will talk about the siren later,” he hinted at another emergency warning that he later said had been approved for Warburton.
“There has not been one of these initiatives that has not had the community behind it. And, it’s not just community,” he said.
“The shire has been front and centre, not only at council meetings and councillor level, but at officer level.”
Cr Child paid tribute to the tenacity and diligence of WEPG saying they are a small group who continue to lobby for the type of facilities that will make Upper Yarra communities safer.
WEPG spokesman Gordon Buller said they had taken the ideas from the community.
“What I have loved is that there are only a few of us, but we have got ideas from what you people say to us.
“We have had wonderful support from council staff,” he said, addressing his next comment to council and government representatives.
“We have made a noise, and to know that you guys have been listening … . it’s great to have that support.”
The State Government committed $25,000 to the project, and the local Bendigo community bank branches contributed $20,000.
Ms Hall said the bank was delighted to support WEPG.
“For us, it was a no-brainer to support this project,” she said.
Ms Gorr interviewed Mr Lapsley, Warburton CFA Captain Hazel Clothier, Mr Stevens and a variety of community members with an emphasis on living in Victoria’s most fire-prone region.
Mobile phone coverage is the next challenge with three mobile towers in the pipeline for East Warburton, McMahon’s Creek and Reefton.
