It’s a Saturday morning, breezy and cool but the sun is shining brightly. For many it’s a relief not to be battling to stay cool after our recent late blast of hot summer weather. Staying inside with the air-conditioning on is often the most attractive option on those really hot days. But what if it’s an extreme or catastrophic fire day?

It seems like a long time since we’ve had a catastrophic fire day but we have had some extreme days this year, including two over the recent long weekend. The CFS advise that, on an extreme fire day any fire that starts will be extremely dangerous and that, unless you and your home are prepared to the highest level, you should leave early and move to a safer location. This is often easier said than done!

Council received a large petition calling for community centres in safer areas to be open to hills residents and their pets on extreme and catastrophic fire days. It noted that “suitable facilities already exist, but the needed access is not currently allowed”. I know from my personal experience of living in the hills how disruptive, inconvenient, and expensive it can be to leave the area if you don’t have family elsewhere to accommodate you. However, I worry about the people who either have no choice, or feel that they have no choice, about leaving the area.

People with young children, the frail, the elderly, the disabled, and those with pets. Many people in these cohorts have told me that they just don’t have anywhere to go. They don’t have relatives in Adelaide, their friendship and/or family networks are in the hills and a day at the movies or in a shopping complex just doesn’t work.

On receiving the petition, I moved a motion asking for Council to consult the community about how it would value having a community centre available on these days for residents and their domestic pets. Council staff have published a survey to ascertain community expectations and needs and I encourage you to get involved and have your say. If there is little response or a response that indicates that the community doesn’t support the proposal, nothing will happen. The survey is available on the Council website until 30 April 2024.

Speaking of surveys, the Council is currently consulting on the draft Dog and Cat Management Plan. A previous consultation has informed the draft, however despite this demonstrating a need in the community for more dedicated dog parks and off leash areas, the plan does not adequately address how this will be achieved. The first draft specifically said ‘no further dog parks’. Hills Councillors rallied together to have this removed from the draft but there is still more to be done.

If you would like to see another dedicated dog park or better off leash areas, please complete the consultation survey. It will be on the Council website until 10 May 2024.

Please call me anytime on 0423 919 080.

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