There will be changes to Surf Coast Shire Council’s services due to Saturday’s extreme fire danger day.
Temperatures are expected to rise to 37 degrees Celsius on February 22, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) declaring it an extreme fire danger day for the Surf Coast.
Changes to council’s services will include closures to the Anglesea Art Space, Lorne and Anglesea Visitor Information Centres, the Lorne Transfer station and the Anglesea Landfill and Re-sale Shed.
Council-managed reserves, including sports grounds and facilities in bushfire risk areas, will be closed and operating hours will be reduced at the Anglesea Transfer Station, which will only be open from 9am to 10am.
Public litter bins and toilets in high bushfire risk areas will only be serviced before 10am, and evening if conditions improve, and the Freshwater Creek farming and composting workshop has been cancelled.
The Geelong Regional Library Corporation’s mobile library visit to Anglesea has also been cancelled.
Council Community Life general manager Damian Waight said community and council staff safety was the “number one priority” on hot days.
“We are working with community groups impacted on Saturday to see if there are alternative venues or dates for their activities,” he said.
“We understand these changes will cause inconvenience to some members of the community, but we are clear that protecting people comes first.
“We urge everyone to be prepared for the extreme fire danger day by downloading the VicEmergency app, having a fire plan and knowing when to leave, and following the CFA’s advice.”
Council will post further updates on its Facebook and Instagram pages, while community members can visit surfcoast.vic.gov.au/servicechanges to view an up-to-date list of changes.
Facilities and services are expected to return to normal operations on Sunday, with more information about fire danger ratings available on CFA’s website.
