At last night's Ordinary Council Meeting, Alpine Shire Council endorsed the commissioning of Tavare Park in Harrietville as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort (BPLR).
Following engagement with the community of Harrietville and consultation with Country Fire Authority (CFA), Tavare Park was found to be a compliant location in line with CFA's Neighbourhood Safer Place – Bushfire Place of Last Resort Assessment Guideline (2020).
While Tavare Park has been identified as a compliant location, community members are reminded that BPLRs should only ever be used if every single one of their other survival plans have failed.
BPLRs are often a grass clearing that may separate people from direct flames. They do not provide any source of amenity or utility for the people that gather there.
While the location may provide some protection, they do not, in any circumstance, guarantee safety.
In their Neighbourhood Safer Place – Bushfire Place of Last Resort Assessment Guideline (2020), the CFA emphasise that people need to do everything possible to avoid having to use last resort options.
This includes having a survival plan, with clear steps to take before an emergency.
CFA and Red Cross have guides available to support people to write survival plans for themselves and their loved ones or those in their care.
Community members are reminded that leaving early is the safest option.
There are six other BPLRs across Alpine Shire:
- Bright and Wandiligong | Pioneer Park Oval, Bright
- Dederang | Dederang Recreation Reserve Netball Courts
- Hotham Heights | Alpine Gateway Multi-level Carpark and Day Shelter (Mt Loch Carpark)
- Mount Beauty | Les Peart Oval, Mount Beauty
- Myrtleford | RC McNamara Reserve Oval, Myrtleford
- Porepunkah | Porepunkah Oval
For more information about preparing for emergencies, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/residents-ratepayers/fire-flood-emergencies/emergency