There will be facilities closures and changes to Council services tomorrow (Saturday 22 February), in line with the Country Fire Authority's (CFA) forecast of an Extreme fire danger day on the Surf Coast.
The changes are being put in place to protect the safety of the community and Council employees.
On days rated by the CFA as having Extreme fire danger, Council adjusts service levels and Council-managed facilities in high-risk areas are closed. Employees and contractors will not work or travel in fire risk zones at the highest risk times.
The main changes for Saturday are as follows:
- Anglesea Landfill and Re-sale Shed will be closed and Anglesea Transfer Station will have reduced operating hours: 9am-10am;
- Lorne Transfer station will be closed;
- Council managed reserves (including sports grounds) and facilities in bushfire risk areas will be closed;
- Public litter bins and public toilets in high bushfire risk areas will only be serviced before 10am, and potentially in the evening should conditions ease;
- Lorne and Anglesea Visitor Information Centres will be closed, with a remote service available from Torquay;
- A scheduled composting and worm farming workshop in Freshwater Creek has been cancelled. Registered attendees have been notified;
- Anglesea Art Space will be closed; and
- the Geelong Regional Library Corporation has advised that its mobile library visit to Anglesea has been cancelled.
General Manager Community Life Damian Waight said Council is on high alert given the forecast conditions.
"The safety of the community and our staff must be our number one priority on days like this," he said.
"We understand these changes will cause inconvenience to some members of the community, but we are clear that protecting people comes first.
"We are working with community groups impacted on Saturday to see if there are alternative venues or dates for their activities."
Based on the CFA's forecast, it is expected facilities and services will return to normal operations on Sunday. Any changes to this will be communicated.
Council's Facebook and Instagram pages will carry further updates as they become available, while the Council website provides an up-to-date list of changes.
"We urge everyone to be prepared for the Extreme fire danger day by downloading the VicEmergency app, having a fire plan and knowing when to leave, and following the CFA's advice," Mr Waight said.
Information about fire danger ratings is available on the CFA website.
