Sign of the times: One of the automated fire signs to be trialled on Geelong’s bypass.
GEELONG and the Otways will be part of a trial of automated fire safety signs, State Government announced.
The Government said it would erect an automated electronic sign displaying fire safety information in Geelong as part of the $300,000 signage pilot project.
The sign will be on Geelong’s bypass between Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat roads exits.
Police and Emergency Services minister Peter Ryan said Geelong would be one of 26 locations to help travellers and communities “make informed decisions about fire safety”.
He said a trailer-based LED sign would be used in the Otways during the Christmas and summer holidays.
“The fixed signs will be placed in hard-to-access locations in high-risk areas and clearly display Fire Danger Ratings (FDR) from low to moderate fire risk through to code red based upon fire weather forecasts,” Mr Ryan said.
“The new signs will use the latest technology including motorised or electronic indicator arrows and LED signs featuring illuminated, variable messages.”
Mr Ryan said the fixed signs could be remotely updated and checked to ensure they were operating correctly.
The Government would erect other signs in areas burnt during Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires and in outer-Melbourne suburbs.
“The mobile signs will provide high impact, visible fire safety messages to motorists, holidaymakers and visitors, many of whom may be unfamiliar with local fire risks.”
The fixed-sign trial would begin on December 1 and mobile signs trail on December 20, he said.
