Works approved to make park fire safety compliant
Fire safety works will be undertaken at Glen Cromie caravan park to ensure the park is compliant. A CFA report has identified a number of areas in which the park did not comply with regulations.
Baw Baw Shire Council has committed $120,000 to fund the works.
Council officers said the park was “considered a high-risk bushfire site.”
The CFA fire safety report was issued to operators of the park earlier this year, detailing several areas in which the park did not comply with the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Moveable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations.
The report was completed as part of a statewide program by the CFA.
Glen Cromie caravan park at Drouin West is owned by council. The adjoining Tarago River, along with its beds and banks, is Crown Land Reserve.
The park offers camping and caravan sites, ensuite cabins, onsite vans, annual sites and welcomes day visitors for a fee. The park also operates a small café for park visitors.
The park was initially gifted to the community by a local resident and was operated for many years by a community committee before being transferred to the former Buln Buln Shire.
The current operators own the business and occupy the land under a retail lease with council.
A report to council said the site was accessed by one road with a steep incline and was significantly affected in the Black Saturday fires.
The CFA report determined council could not issue registration to the business until the CFA requirements were met.
The major requirements were for the provision of fire abatement methods on site and access for firefighting around the buildings onsite, including the management of fire fuels.
“The works are required to enable the park to continue operating and be available to the public for bookings and accommodation.
“To enable this environment to be enjoyed by the community, this expenditure is required or access may be denied.
Officers said the park operators have been consulted as the primary stakeholder during this process and are assisting with finalising the detailed design.
Cr Keith Cook said it was about the safety of people at the caravan park.
He said as owners of the park, council had the responsibility to ensure it was safe.
“As landlords of this site, it’s important we meet that responsibility,” he said.
Cr Cook said the works included tanks to be placed in strategic places around the park and 10 hydrants.
Cr Jessica O’Donnell said the Black Saturday fires had impacted on Glen Cromie so when the CFA undertook the report, it was determined the caravan park was not compliant.
“We need to spend the money and make it safe and ready for summer,” she said.
Cr Michael Leaney said the cost of the works was minimal compared to something happening at the site.
“This is about making sure we are compliant with the rules of the site.
“The fact we have been non-compliant is a sad indictment on the shire but it’s a good thing that we are spending this money,” he said.
Cr Leaney said Glen Cromie was one of the key destinations in the shire for recreation vehicles so council needed to bring it up to standard and make it safe.
Cr Darren Wallace said council had a legal responsibility to upgrade fire services at the site. He said the $120,000 investment may save a life.