Eastern Metropolitan Region
Mr ATKINSON (Eastern Metropolitan) (13:00): (1659) My matter for constituency questions is for the Minister for Emergency Services. One of the challenges every summer for many people in Eltham electorate is the threat of bushfire. Thankfully this season there have been no issues to this day. However, as there are limited roads in and out of many areas in the event of a bushfire, the residents take their responsibility around planning for such events very seriously. With the closure of large parts of the Fitzsimons Lane intersection there is much higher risk in times of bushfire season brought about now by people not being able to use the normal escape routes in the event of a fire situation. There are certainly limited options in terms of southern evacuation and notifications to the local CFA brigades and Victoria Police precincts of road closures. Can the minister tell us what arrangements those two agencies have made in terms of evacuation in the event of a serious bushfire event in the Eltham area?
Sitting suspended 1.01 pm until 2.02 pm.