Southern Grampians Shire rethink on hot weather shutdown

However, the shire’s pools, the Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre and home-care services will remain off limits on Code Red days.

Council chief executive officer Richard Perry said the shire was reverting to its previous fire risk plan while it undertook further investigation. “Council implemented the revised policy in December with the best intentions for the welfare and safety of the community and staff,” he said.

“However, we now acknowledge that we need to seek further advice and perhaps take a location-specific approach to service closures on these days.”

The change in policy raised concern among some residents as it meant the council’s outdoor pools at Dunkeld, Penshurst, Balmoral, Glenthompson and Coleraine would close on Extreme as well as Code Red fire-danger days.

 Pools, the Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre and home-care services will now be available on extreme days.

Dunkeld resident Donna Mirtschin said it was a small win for people power but she would like to see it go further, including keeping the town’s visitor information centre open on Code Red days.

“We definitely need it open. The tourists that go into the Grampians need to know they can’t light fires and what roads are closed,” she said.

“They say that the Hamilton Visitor Information Centre will still be open, but once tourists drive into Dunkeld they’re not going to turn around and drive half-an-hour back to Hamilton.”

Mrs Mirtschin said cancelling home-care services such as meals on wheels on Code Red days was also a concern.

“There’s been a lot of people upset about this and concerned about the elderly missing out on services,” she said.

“The people getting those services get them because they can’t get meals for themselves.”

Mrs Mirtschin wrote to Southern Grampians Shire and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy about the new policy and said meetings and consultation since then had been pleasing. “There will be more meetings but at least it’s a start,” she said. 

Mr Perry said the shire was now working to balance the safety of staff with the needs of the community.