by Amy Hume
MANNAGUM Estate residents in Kilmore will again go without a fire access route for what is predicted to be another scorching summer.
Prolonged council land acquisition for construction of a fire access track now means access to the estate is not expected to be addressed until autumn next year.
District fire brigades have raised concern about the timing, as the estate has been dubbed a high risk fire area and a major concern with only one point of entry or exit.
Kilmore Fire Brigade captain David Williams said the brigade has been pushing for another entry to the estate for years. He said the lack of access was a very real concern.
“At the moment there is only one way in and one way out (for Mannagum Estate),” he said.
“If there’s anything coming from the north, no one can get out.”
Mr Williams said the Monument Hill Reserve was prone to fires, often has large burning off operations in the area and ember attack was a threat for people living in the estate.
“It’s a high risk location, that’s why we’re pushing for better access,” he said.
The brigade believes the ideal solution is to extend Centenary Drive to Tootle Street.
Fire Prevention Committee member Cr Sue Marstaeller said while the fire access route is a “major priority” for council, nothing can go ahead until council has access to the land needed to construct a route.
Cr Marstaeller put forward a motion to buy or compulsorily acquire the land for use of a fire access track previously this year.
She said since the property has changed hands, the process for land acquisition would have to begin again.
“We know how important this is for Kilmore, especially leading up to summer, it’s in all the (Fire Prevention Committee) minutes,” she said.
A council spokesperson said the land is now changing hands and there is a long settlement period.
“It’s anticipated the settlement will go on for a while. (The fire access track) is not expected to happen now until March 2012,” they said.
Kilmore Integrity Kept president Anne Radden Rose wrote to the Review in September, stating that the issue had been on the agenda for years.
“For three years KIK has been encouraging council to construct a bridge,” she said.
“We are aware of how a lack of a second exit during the Canberra fires and Black Saturday fires was so disastrous for many people.”
Cr Marstaeller said it was “council’s resolution” to improve the fire access and safety of Mannagum Estate.
“A fire access track is very important and it’s totally necessary. There are so many people in the area and their only access goes past Monument Hill,” Cr Marstaeller said.
