What a busy start to 2026! After a lovely quiet week as usual between Christmas and New Year's Day, we're off with a bang and through the first month already.
As an active firefighter myself, I have joined dozens of our CFA volunteers from all around our region to combat the fires big & small to our north, west and immediate area. The silver lining on some very dark clouds is the way our communities pitch in when help is needed. The flash floods on the Great Ocean Road, too, saw offers of services, items and accommodation almost immediately. The response from emergency services and cross-border council teams was efficient, quick and professional. In these times of heightened conflict and division, it is heartening to see how good people can be and usually are. My thanks and congratulations to all involved, including and especially those behind the scenes that enable the front-line activities - families, colleagues, donors, strangers.
One thing that has come out recently courtesy of hot days with associated Watch & Act warnings, is some confusion and misunderstanding around a 'Bushfire Place of Last Resort' (BPLR), an 'Emergency Relief Centre' (ERC), and somewhere cool to stay for the day. We saw this in Winchelsea during that 40+ degree day, although it's a common issue across Victoria.
- a BPLR is NOT somewhere you should plan to go. It is a space that MAY allow you to survive if your fire plan has failed (or you ignored it) and you face imminent death where you are, and you've left it too late to evacuate. A BPLR likely has NO water, food, service, shelter, official representatives, or emergency services protection. You will be out in the smoke & embers fending for yourself. It's just a clear space, that's all.
- an ERC is an evacuation place where displaced people and probably pets can go while their homes are under threat. The Colac showgrounds, for example, was an ERC for the Gellibrand fire with indoor camp-beds, camping facilities, advisors and more. It's a short-term place to go for a few days when you're told to leave your home, until it is safe to return or you've sorted out somewhere else to live.
- somewhere cool is voluntarily opened as a respite from hot weather, for example the Winchelsea Shire Hall or the Senior Citizens. It's unlikely to be a place to stay overnight, it won't take pets, there are no officials to provide updates or advice. It is only an air-conditioned space for people that struggle with daytime heat and don't have their own cooling at home.
In short - a BPLR is only for when you have no other choice and will die if you stay where you are. An ERC is somewhere relatively safe with essential shelter and assistances. Somewhere cool is only for the day.
All of the above reinforces the need for you (yes, you) to have a fire plan and to stick to it. What will you do on a 'bad day', where will you go, what do you need to take, what will trigger you to do it? For help, see fireplanner.vic.gov.au
Finally, find out more about Surf Coast Shire BPLRs at jo.my/bplr (this is a short version of surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Community/Emergencies-and-safety/Bushfire-Places-of-Last-Resort). I hope you'll never need one.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this communication are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of Surf Coast Shire or its staff. They are offered in my capacity as an individual Councillor and should not be interpreted as representing the collective views of the Council or Shire.