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Bacchus Marsh Grammar site prone to bushfire

Quick action by locals stopped a bushfire 

Our region is prone to major bushfires. In 2006 we felt the full force of the Brisbane Ranges fire with the national park and many locals still recovering from its devastating impacts. 

That fire burnt into the Bacchus Marsh Grammar (BMG) site providing a clear indication of the potential loss of life and infrastructure if the proposed expansion of the school proceeds.

Another fire, in 2020, again displayed the vulnerable location of the school. On 9th December local resident, Mandy Cocks, recorded the fire on her phone on the BMG site.

This is Mandy's account of an event which, without the quick action of residents, could have got out of hand.
"Whilst mowing the paddock the BMG groundkeeper ran over a rock which sparked a fire that took off in a north-easterly direction headed up towards Granite Road. 

"Without a fire extinguisher on the CT mower the groundkeeper had no way of putting the fire out. In the panic he lost his mobile phone and, in only seconds, the fire took hold.

"My daughter, who was riding her horse nearby, alerted us to the smoke so we hooked up our mobile tanker and set about containing the fire. More locals arrived with mobile water units and we pretty much put it out. 

"The CFA came but their truck got bogged in a shallow dam that was not visible due to the height of the grass so a side fence had to be cut to allow access to the property because their was on only one access point."

It's worth noting in the video how far the fire progressed along Staughton Vale Road 

Why Mandy's fire story is concerning

Her story shows that small fires can lead to much larger bushfires unless they are dealt with quickly. Of course there's nothing new in that but it highlighted serious deficiencies in the BMG's fire management plans at the time, including:
  • no extinguisher on a vehicle that is known to cause fires
  • poor response strategy which was entirely reliant on a lost mobile phone
  • only one point of access to the site which caused considerable trouble for emergency services
  • no fire plan seems to have been in place
  • without the quick containment actions of locals, who are not associated with the school, the fire had the potential to become much larger
The local CFA has expressed concerns that the poorly prepared school will drain critical emergency resources during a bushfire. With inadequate on-site fire systems and flawed evacuation plans that  rely on distant buses, an emergency could trigger a dangerous traffic gridlock and compromise safe traffic movements.

Want to help? Email Planning Minister Kilkenny

If you are concerned about bushfire, or any other matter related to the proposed BMG development, email the Minister and tell your story.

In the Subject line use this: URGENT Ministerial permit: PA2604229

Send you email to:  
Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning 

Also Cc. your email to the Department of Planning: development.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au

Where to find plans and details for the proposal

Full documentation can be found here: Ministry for Planning website 

Here's how to Keep Informed

NEXT MEETING: Monday 27 July 7pm at Anakie Community House. ALL WELCOME


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