Neighbourhood Safer Places

We have established three Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs), which provide residents in bushfire affected areas a place of last resort during a bushfire.

NSPs were recommended as a result of the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission.

Wodonga's NSPs are located at Birallee Park, Martin Park oval number two and Kelly Park.

New signs were erected at these locations to mark them for the community.

NSPs may afford some protection from radiant heat, the biggest killer during bushfire.

However, the degree of safety afforded by the location will depend on a number of factors including the intensity of the bushfire.

Please be aware of the following risks associated with NSPs:

Going to a NSP - place of last resort is an option of last resort when other plans have failed;
NSPs are not an alternative to planning to either leave early, or stay and actively defend your property;
They are not inherently "safe" places during a bushfire;
Many houses will provide more effective protection than NSPs;
Travelling to a NSP may be dangerous. Traffic congestion, fire activity, heavy smoke, accidents or fallen trees may block the route there;
There is no guarantee that you will not be injured or killed by fire or radiant heat when travelling to or sheltering at a NSP;
While emergency services will make every effort to protect people sheltering at NSPs, there is no guarantee that emergency services will be present;
There will be no provision for pets;
There will generally be limited parking. Large numbers of vehicles may further compromise what little protection the area affords; and
No amenities (for example, food, drinks and toilets) will be provided.

NSPs are not designed to replace a personal bushfire survival plan.

CFA advises that everyone should have a written Bushfire Survival Plan.

Also familiarise yourself with which fire district you are in and the 'Fire Danger Ratings'.

The fire commissioner has also set-up the Your Bushfire Survival website, which provides further important information.

Downloads

Wodonga Places Of Last Resort Plan (PDF 945KB)

Last updated: 13-12-2012

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City of Wodonga

Neighbourhood Safer Places

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