What you will find on this page: what is the network; network purpose; disclaimer; clusters formed for each fire season; information session details; contacts for more information; community support for network. (links in blue)
Keep up to date by joining us on the Network’s Facebook Page here
Brown Hill Community FireAware Network
Did you know that Brown Hill is in a Bushfire Prone Area?
Latest News End Latest News
22 January 2021, One area of concern raised by many of our community members is the poor or non-existent mobile phone signal in parts of Brown Hill.The Brown Hill Community FireAware Network undertook an online survey in October and November 2020 and has now produced this report to seek support from all levels of government to commit resources to ensure our community has better access to a critical tool needed in any emergency situation, reliable mobile phone reception. Brown Hill Mobile Signal Survey Report June 2021
Bushfire outlook
Fire invading the suburbs of Canberra 2003
Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) for buildings in Fire Prone Areas
What are Bushfire Prone Areas? Bushfire Prone Areas are areas that are subject to or likely to be subject to bushfires. To view the Bushfire Prone Area of Brown Hill access the link here. Source: Visualising Ballarat.
Bushfire protection and my property: This is the main Vic DELWP site You can get your own property report from this page in regard to planning overlays. A Guide to retrofit your home for better protection from a bushfire:This guide, among other things provides a simple table that outlines low /moderate and high cost alternatives and sets out different requirements for the BAL ratings. Access guide here: A-guide-to-Retrofit-Your-Home-for-Better-Protection-from-a-Bushfire_2014 (1)
A Guide to Windows and Doors in Bushfire Prone Areas: Another more detailed guide for windows and doors. FAQs – Bushfire Prone Planning – BAL Assessments. Even though this site relates to WA I found the information provided quite useful. Contact City of Ballarat for more specific details on 5320 5500
Also refer to the following FireAware Network pages:
- FireAware Network – clusters (providing specific details for each cluster locality):
- FireAware Network – understanding risk of a fire event
- FireAware Network – be prepared
- FireAware Network – role of emergency services in a fire event
- FireAware Network – resources (providing a range of further information – videos; articles; reports)
What is the Brown Hill Community FireAware Network?
The network consists of “walkable” Neighbourhood Clusters, spread across the suburb of Brown Hill – a priority being the households/streets on the urban-rural interface of Brown Hill along the Yarrowee River and the growing number of subdivisions of Brown Hill north of the freeway, all located within the designated Bushfire Prone Area.
(Penny Platypus is the mascot for the Network – learn more about Penny here)
What is the purpose of a cluster?
- to provide a yearly reminder of the need to prepare for the fire season;
- to present in a variety of ways information that is relevant to a specific neighbourhood;
- to highlight that it is everyone’s responsibility to be aware and prepared to act in a fire event impacting on their community or a community nearby;
- to encourage in households the “habit” of preparation
Disclaimer
Please note the information provided through the information sessions and web pages is not for the purpose of giving specific advice. The information is offered in good faith for those wishing to know more about the potential risk to their community and wanting to take responsibility for their own informed decisions. The information and material offered is freely available from a number of sources, primarily fire/emergency services sites such as CFA and other State emergency services and research institutions.
Clusters for the 2021/2022 fire season
There are nine neighbourhood clusters for the pre-fire season of 2021/2022. Access more details here
Five north of the freeway
- Ditchfield/Benson (approx 60 households)
- Coorabin Estate (approx. 110 households)
- Janson Rd & Stringybark Dr (approx. 100 households)
- Orchard Lane (approx. 20 households)
- Aplle Orchard Estate (approx. 130 households)
Four south of the freeway
- Mancev Crt (approx. 20 households)
- Russell Sq & Lane St (approx. 230 households)
- Finlay St Sth & Bradbury St (approx 100 households)
- Dalma/ Ryan St Sth (approx. 25 households)
Information sessions available through clusters
Clusters offer information sessions, as requested, to their cluster residents specifically tailored to their location:
Sessions can cover a range of topics, for example:
Presentation of the risk of a fire event impacting on the community of Brown Hill and in particular the neighbourhood cluster location involved:
- Myths relating to fire and household safety;
- Reality of urban fire risk highlighting ember attacks – varying intensity & duration;
- Overview of Brown Hill community risk;
- Specific risks to the cluster location;
- What it is like to be near a bushfire
Preparing household and property prior to the fire season:
- Fire weather awareness – Fire Danger Ratings;
- Review of high and low risk within the cluster (direct and indirect impact);
- Overview of preparation required for both levels;
- Basics for pre-season property preparation;
- Basics for household bushfire plans
Wanting more information about the Network?
NETWORK CONTACT: Hazen – hmc433@hotmail.com
CLUSTER CONTACTS details access here
What community support is there for the Network?
The following have offered their support to the Network in a variety of ways as a means to help raise the awareness of residents of Brown Hill of the bushfire risk to the urban interface and assist them in preparing for such an event:
Brown Hill Progress Association
Country Fire Authority (Ballarat local office)
City of Ballarat
Dr Kevin Tolhurst (Tolhurst Bushfire Services)
In 2015 Kevin was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to science through land and bushfire management, and to the community through providing expert advice at fire emergencies. He works and lives in Creswick and therefore has a wealth of knowledge of our local area.
Gary Morgan AM AFSM; Principal Consultant; Global Wildland Fire Management Services
Gary Morgan former Bushfire CRC CEO was recognised for his significant service to the community with an Australia Day honour in 2018, Becoming a member of the Order of Australia (AM). Gary was awarded this honour for his significant service to the community through emergency response organisations, and to forest and fire research and management. He has spent more than 20 years in senior land and fire management roles. As Victoria’s Chief Fire Officer for public lands, for nine years, he was responsible for the management and deployment of fire suppression personnel. He became the CEO of the Bushfire CRC in mid-2007. He is a long time resident f Ballarat.
PLEA Network
Penny is the Network’s mascot, who is a very large platypus, a long time resident of the Yarrowee and was created to promote the “Ballarat’ Regional Conservation Strategy” in the early 1990’s. Penny has come out of retirement to put her name to and support the network. Many thanks to her creator Leanne Westblade (1991).