The Maddens Plains Golf Resort - danger from extreme bushfire storms

You can have a large asset protection zone, but unfortunately fires do not understand this. So you have burning embers, not drifting, but being blown by the wind.

In the Response to Submissions on Bushfires, the applicant has stated that "the site is well supplied by mains water is incorrect", and have agreed with "OK"!

That the area is "extreme bushfire risk and subject to severe bushfires at least once a year", their response was, "Ok - Rural Fire Brigade have been consulted", and what the hell does that mean?

There was a concern with local fire brigades being able to protect such an isolated site in the event of a bushfire. Their unrealistic response was it was "8km from Helensburgh, located on relatively consistent, open terrain" without acknowledging it is all surrounded by highly inflammable high bush, and what if Helensburgh is burning? There is not enough fire units to go around here.

They also add there is "good accessibility via F6” (there is no access to the F6) “and Princes Hwy” but it's all kilometres of high bush and trees!! We all saw the roads covered in fallen burning trees in Victoria.

How Minister Keneally can state, “I will not approve any development should the proponent not adequately address concerns raised during the consultation process including bushfire risks”, makes me wonder why she approved this!

Alan Bond

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