bunkering down

report from the roundtable – 13 Oct

At this council meeting I raised the issue of private fire bunkers. I’ve been very concerned that residents are installing bunkers across the Dandenongs with no clear regulations about their efficacy.

In the Black Saturday fires seven people died in three different locations in fire bunkers and I do not want more to see more people suffer the same fate.

Fire bunker ads are appearing everywhere, with no construction standards in place this is very concerning.

In August the Building Commissioner called for an urgent investigation into fire bunkers, in September the Royal Commission said regulations into fire bunkers can’t wait until they hand down their next recommendations, in October the ACCC announced it was taking action against false claims in relation to bunker safety.

I thought it was important that Yarra Ranges Council added its voice and concern about the lack of guidelines and regulations governing the construction of bunkers and moved the following motion:

That Council write to the State Government, with a copy to local State Parliamentarians, requesting that guidelines and regulations governing the construction and installation of private bushfire bunkers be developed as a matter of urgency.

The motion was supported unanimously.

It is a critical issue for all Victorians in high fire danger regions and it must be given the most urgent attention.

Death fear over Yarra Valley fire bunkers
19 Oct 09 by Bryan Allchin

'Fiery tomb' fears for bunkers
20 Oct 09 by Gilbert Gardiner

Bunker mentality
20 Oct 09 by Tania Martin