Amy Hume
TWO new Neighbourhood Safer Places have been appointed in the Mitchell Shire as a result of Tuesday’s council meeting.
Council approved NSPs at Chittick Park, Seymour, and CWA Park, Tallarook, in addition to Wallan’s NSP at Hadfield Park.
The rigorous assessment process through the CFA has seen just three NSPs established in the Mitchell Shire to date, with six others currently under consideration.
Cr Trevor Tobias said council’s other submissions needed to be more clearly defined.
“We have to clarify which area we are talking about,” he said.
“Some of the sites put up will be reassessed.”
Cr Sue Marstaellar expressed some concern that there were limited council and government owned places available for consideration in some towns in the Mitchell Shire.
She said Wandong was a prime example.
“The only space in Wandong that could possibly be considered is the Wandong General Plaza but it’s on commercial land,” she said.
“LB Davern Reserve was affected by the Black Saturday bushfires. Even the main street was affected.
“There’s a lot of pressure to find somewhere.
“We may need to use private property. It may be a possibility.”
Cr Marstaellar said it was a question of insurance.
While it may take time for some towns to have an NSP established, Cr Marstaellar stressed that “an NSP is strictly a place of last resort.”
“It is not a refuge,” she said.
“If people are not prepared to stay and fight they really need to get out.
“90 per cent of people should be gone before the fire even gets there.”
The CFA’s NSP fact sheet states that they are “not an alternative to planning to either leave early or staying to actively defend your property.”
It also states that “NSPs will not exist in all communities” due to the meticulous approval process.
Council continues to work with the CFA to establish NSPs across the Mitchell Shire.





