Yarra Ranges Council confirmed the status of Neighbourhood Safer Places – Places of Last Resort within the municipality at the council meeting on 28 November.
The report to the council shows that all Neighbourhood Safer Places – Places of Last Resort meet CFA safety guidelines and will be open for the community during the 2023/2024 fire season.
This includes all 18 Neighbourhood Safer Places – Places of Last Resort, and three Community Fire Refuges commissioned by Emergency Management Victoria.
Yarra Ranges Council Deputy Mayor, David Eastham emphasised the importance of maintaining these 18 sites.
“Yarra Ranges Council is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its community through proactive bushfire preparedness measures. The designated Neighbourhood Safer Places – Places of Last Resort play a crucial role in providing a last resort for residents during emergency situations,” Cr Eastham said.
“Confirming the status of these Bushfire Shelter options isn’t just a formality; it’s a message to our community that we’re ready, we’re watching, and we’re keeping our residents safe and giving them an accessible place to turn to when the fire danger is high.”
Updated signage has been installed to improve accessibility and was commended by the CFA as an innovative addition to the Yarra Ranges Neighbourhood Safer Places – Places of Last Resort sites.
Residents and visitors are reminded that Neighbourhood Safer Places – Places of Last Resort are areas of last resort during a bushfire emergency, they can be used when all other options in your bushfire survival plan can’t be put into action safely.
They are areas of open space such as ovals or built-up areas that are away from bushland.
Scroll down for a full list of locations in the Yarra Ranges or click visit the Community Fire Refuge & Neighbourhood Safer Places site for a map view, which can be found here: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Environment/Emergencies/Preparing-for-an-emergency/Community-Fire-Refuge-Neighbourhood-Safer-Places
Lilydale Recreation Reserve, Lilydale
Lillydale Lake, Lilydale
Yarra Hills Secondary College, Mount Evelyn
Halley Supple Recreation Reserve Oval, Coldstream
Wandin North Recreation Reserve Oval. Wandin North
Yarra Glen Racing Club. Yarra Glen
Monbulk Recreation Reserve Oval, Monbulk
Woori Yallock Recreation Reserve Oval, Woori Yallock
Upwey Recreation Reserve, Upwey
Alexanders Car Park, Belgrave
Belgrave Recreation Oval, Belgrave
Dandenong Ranges Community Cultural Centre Burrinja Car Park, Upwey
RACV Healesville Country Club Underground Car Park, Healesville,
Dixons Creek Recreation Reserve Oval Area, Dixons Creek
Queens Park, Healesville
Yarra Junction Recreation Reserve Oval, Yarra Junction
Millgrove Recreation Reserve, Millgrove
Warburton Recreation Reserve, Warburton
Council works collaboratively with Victoria Police, and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in ensuring these sites are maintained and suitable for community use.
