TILBA SAFE: A group of Tilba locals hang out on the Tilba Tilba sports ground which is a designated "Neighbourhood Safer Place".
THE Narooma News was asked by a reader last week if there was such a thing as a “town bushfire plan” if the whole town of Narooma was threatened by a firestorm.
The Rural Fire Service is saying town-wide emergencies are actually the domain of police and the local emergency management committee run by the council.
Mayor Lindsay Brown confirmed there was local emergency committee that was meant to deal with major emergencies from a tsunami to the bridge collapsing, as well as bushfires.
The committee was overseen by the shire’s infrastructure manager Warren Sharpe, he said.
In terms of bush fires, Eurobodalla operations officer Russell Clark said it was up to individuals to have their own Bush Fire Survival Plans in place.
The RFS was a volunteer organisation tasked with fighting fires at specific locations and any town-wide emergency would have to be dealt with by the police and council.
Following the devastating Victorian bush fires where whole towns were threatened, the need for “safer neighbourhood protection areas” was identified.
There are now designated Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs) in most local government area in NSW.
These NSP locations have been subject to a validation process by the RFS and have been deemed acceptable as a place of last resort.
However, the RFS website admits some recommended NSP locations will require further investigation to confirm that they are suitable as place of shelter to be used as a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency.
The NSW Rural Fire Service will continue to update the NSP locations as new data is received and validated.
“Remember to complete your Bush Fire Survival Plan to ensure that you and your family are prepared and know what to do in the event of a bush fire,” the website reads.
“If there is a suitable NSP nearby your home, you should note it in you Bush Fire Survival Plan. However, the NSP should only be considered as a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency.”
Eurobodalla NSPs:
Bodalla Bowling Club open space, Potato Point Road, Bodalla
Bill Smyth Oval open space, McMillan Road, Narooma
Kyla Oval open space, Hector McWilliams Drive, Tuross Head
Tilba Tilba Sportsground open space, Corkhill Drive, Tilba Tilba
Dalmeny Campground open space, Noble Parade, Dalmeny
Bega Valley NSPs:
Bermagui Community Centre open space, Bunga Street, Bermagui
Goalen Head NPWS Beach Area open space, off Hergenhans Road, Murrah
Quaama Community Hall & Park open space, Cobargo Street, Quaama
Cobargo Community Hall open space, Cobargo Street, Cobargo
Wallaga Lake Road open space, Wallaga Lake Road, Wallaga Lake