SYKES: ROADBLOCK ISSUES MUST BE RESOLVED

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes is warning that roadblocks in bushfire prone areas could cause problems in the coming fire season.

“With the bushfire season almost upon us, one issue of enormous concern to people living in remote areas throughout north east Victoria is police roadblocks,” Dr Sykes said.

“Roadblocks have been highlighted at hearings of the Bush Fire Royal Commission. While roadblocks serve a purpose, they are a particular source of frustration and annoyance to some people during fires.

Roadblocks represented one of the most frequently mentioned grievances at the community consultation conducted by the Commission in March and April 2009.

Dr Sykes said that unfortunately his Benalla electorate has had many large bushfires including those on Black Saturday, and in 2006/07 and 2003.

“Many Residents throughout the electorate would have experienced roadblocks during these fires. I raised the concern in Parliament in October 2007 when I spoke on the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill and called for the police and the CFA to have increased powers in the manning of roadblocks.

“The concerns expressed to me indicate that in the hands of inexperienced or overcautious officers or people without local knowledge we will have people prevented from returning to their property or staying on their property to implement fire risk plans that they have put in place over a number of years.”

Dr Sykes said he is pleased to see one Royal Commission recommendation requesting the Police, in consultation with the CFA and DSE review roadblocks to allow for returning residents, people delivering relief, essential service crews and ‘expedite the exercise of the discretion in favour of persons able to establish their bona fides’.

“With predictions of a bad fire season ahead the government must resolve this roadblock issue. I note the announcement that residents will get wristbands for access to bushfire areas, but police, emergency service people and the broader community need unambiguous guidelines,” Dr Sykes said.

“Many people believe photo identification such as an endorsed drivers licence or something similar would assist at these roadblocks.”

“We all have a responsibility to be prepared for bushfires and this government must also resolve the issues around police roadblocks, to assist in fighting fires and allowing residents to return safely to their properties,” Dr Sykes said.