Get set to protect

By Kath Gannaway
PREPARE, Act and Survive is the message Yarra Ranges residents will be taking away from the shire’s first-ever Yarra Ranges Community Safety Expo.
Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox said attending the Safety Expo at Lillydale Lake on Saturday 7 November was one of the best investments of time people could make in preparing for the fire season.
The expo will run from 10am to 3pm with Yarra Ranges Council, Victoria Police, DHS, MFB, Red Cross, CFA and SES among the 17 organisations taking part.
The program includes emergency and safety demonstrations, bushfire survival advice, prizes and children’s activities.
“The event will play a key role in helping residents make themselves, their family and neighbours safer during the coming fire season,” Cr Cox said.
“Residents will also be able to use the CFA’s new online tool to assess the safety of their home in a bushfire and can get first-hand advice on developing their own bushfire survival plan.”
Cr Cox said the event would provide something for everyone, including guided learning opportunities for children through the Passport to Safety activity.
Residents can take green waste to the tip free of charge until Sunday 8 November and a green waste collection will be held later this year and in February/March of 2010.
Residents living in residential bushland and rural areas are also able to burn off for fuel reduction purposes.
Additional green waste collection bins are also available for a fee.