By KATH GANNAWAY
EAST Warburton has a temporary mobile phone tower, and there are calls for a community alert siren to warn of impending bushfire.
Communication was a major focus of talks immediately before Christmas when local emergency service leaders, including representatives of Yarra Ranges Council, and community members met with a high-profile contingent of politicians, police and emergency services hierarchy.
Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett, Police Commissioner Graham Ashton and Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley – perhaps for the first time ever, had the opportunity as a group, to see what makes the Upper Yarra area rate as the highest fire danger region in Victoria.
Cr Jim Child said the most immediate outcome was the erection of a relocatable mobile tower in East Warburton.
Funding has been allocated for the East Warburton/Reefton area for a permanent tower to address the blackspot communication problems that residents in those areas face, and which became a major focus after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
The tower was erected on New Year’s Day.
“We have the blackspot covered, but still need to do something about ABC coverage,” Cr Child said.
“Straight away wheels were put in motion by the Police Commissioner to put the temporary mobile tower out there.
“It was commissioner on New Year’s Eve and installed New Year’s Day.”
Cr Child said the other issue was the need to inform the community, or give warning of impending danger.
“We want all the tools to be implemented, and one of those tools is a siren.
“We are hearing that with towns like Wye River and Lorne, the final trigger was given by the activation of a community alert siren.
“When you hear that siren, you seek advice immediately.”
Cr Child said as an outcome of the December meeting, the Warburton Emergency Planning Group would put a recommendation to Yarra Ranges Council’s Municipal Emergency Planning Committee which has to sanction the proposal for it to go further.
“My argument to the emergency services was if other communities can have this great tool, why can’t we.”
Wesburn/Millgrove CFA President Brian Halit said the threat to the Upper Yarra needed to be treated seriously.
“There is nothing like having some high profile people with a bit of clout come out and hear collectively the grievances or needs of a community.
“They can then collectively deal with it.”
While a number of East Warburton residents the Mail spoke to last week welcomed the temporary mobile tower and said they were getting improved communication, one of the outstanding issues that would need to be dealt with, was access for subscribers to other mobile providers.
Willa Vale said she was an Optus customer and was rarely able to get coverage.
“I have wifi, and, if I stand near the front door, maybe will get some coverage, but I rarely get anything with Optus,” she said.
Stephen Clarke is a Telstra customer and said the temporary facility had made a significant difference.
Mr Halit said that was another problem that needed to be overcome when the permanent tower was installed.
