The tough got going...and the fat lady aint singing yet.
RESIDENTS of Sheepyard Flat, in Victoria's northeast, are feeling abandoned by the state's emergency services after being forced to battle devastating bushfires alone.
Despite numerous pleas for help to the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Country Fire Authority and the police, locals in the tiny Howqua Valley community said they were left to their own devices without proper equipment to protect their homes since the fires started more than three weeks ago.
Residents were warned by authorities they should leave, but had banded together to fight the fires with the help of friends, family members and concerned locals from nearby Merrijig.
With just a farm truck, two four-wheel drives, two trailers, two water pumps, a rickety old bulldozer and a weed sprayer filled with water, exhausted residents saved up to 30 houses in the region from ruin. Buildings saved included depots belonging to the DSE and Parks Victoria -- the very organisations they feel have forsaken them.
Mountain cattleman and farmer Charlie Lovick said up to a dozen locals fought the inferno sweeping down the hills surrounding them without the help of external fire crews.
"After quite a few phone calls to the CFA and the DSE, we expected a full contingent to arrive," Mr Lovick said.
"Then we had the realisation they weren't going to help us . . . we were completely isolated."
Mr Lovick said he didn't understand why the emergency services had denied them help. "Being bush we know the extent of the fire -- I'm at a loss to understand how this could happen in Australia and I want answers."
Local landowner Lindsay Ingram said CFA and DSE management had knocked back requests for help because the organisations deemed it too dangerous to enter the area.
But that didn't stop a wildlife crew, accompanied by a DSE escort, from driving through the area to look for injured animals, Mr Ingram said.
"We weren't asking for much assistance, just four reasonably strong men who could help us pull the
heavy water-filled hoses and allow us to get some sleep," Mr Lovick said.
"The management of CFA and DSE are irresponsible -- the workers on the ground I have no qualms with," he said.
A DSE spokesman did not get back to the Herald Sun.
CFA deputy chief officer Craig Lapsley said local fire crews had looked at the area and believed it too dangerous to defend.
"The assessment made by crews was that we would be exposed significantly and we would see our trucks and crew potentially be injured," he said. "We are not in the game of leaving communities by themselves but this was the call we had to make in this situation."
Mr Lapsley said a review of the situation would be conducted based on current weather and fire conditions.
"We need to reassess our commitment to the communities," he said.
Battle-weary Sheepyard Flat residents welcomed the comments.
Despite a heavy downpour in Melbourne at Christmas, the alpine area had just 3mm.
"Given a few days or half a week, this monster will wake up again," Mr Lovick said.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20979425-2862,00.html
Despite numerous pleas for help to the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Country Fire Authority and the police, locals in the tiny Howqua Valley community said they were left to their own devices without proper equipment to protect their homes since the fires started more than three weeks ago.
Residents were warned by authorities they should leave, but had banded together to fight the fires with the help of friends, family members and concerned locals from nearby Merrijig.
With just a farm truck, two four-wheel drives, two trailers, two water pumps, a rickety old bulldozer and a weed sprayer filled with water, exhausted residents saved up to 30 houses in the region from ruin. Buildings saved included depots belonging to the DSE and Parks Victoria -- the very organisations they feel have forsaken them.
Mountain cattleman and farmer Charlie Lovick said up to a dozen locals fought the inferno sweeping down the hills surrounding them without the help of external fire crews.
"After quite a few phone calls to the CFA and the DSE, we expected a full contingent to arrive," Mr Lovick said.
"Then we had the realisation they weren't going to help us . . . we were completely isolated."
Mr Lovick said he didn't understand why the emergency services had denied them help. "Being bush we know the extent of the fire -- I'm at a loss to understand how this could happen in Australia and I want answers."
Local landowner Lindsay Ingram said CFA and DSE management had knocked back requests for help because the organisations deemed it too dangerous to enter the area.
But that didn't stop a wildlife crew, accompanied by a DSE escort, from driving through the area to look for injured animals, Mr Ingram said.
"We weren't asking for much assistance, just four reasonably strong men who could help us pull the
heavy water-filled hoses and allow us to get some sleep," Mr Lovick said.
"The management of CFA and DSE are irresponsible -- the workers on the ground I have no qualms with," he said.
A DSE spokesman did not get back to the Herald Sun.
CFA deputy chief officer Craig Lapsley said local fire crews had looked at the area and believed it too dangerous to defend.
"The assessment made by crews was that we would be exposed significantly and we would see our trucks and crew potentially be injured," he said. "We are not in the game of leaving communities by themselves but this was the call we had to make in this situation."
Mr Lapsley said a review of the situation would be conducted based on current weather and fire conditions.
"We need to reassess our commitment to the communities," he said.
Battle-weary Sheepyard Flat residents welcomed the comments.
Despite a heavy downpour in Melbourne at Christmas, the alpine area had just 3mm.
"Given a few days or half a week, this monster will wake up again," Mr Lovick said.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20979425-2862,00.html
posted by Bugs at 4:14 pm
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