By JESSE GRAHAM
A blaze caused by fireworks at Balgownie estate last weekend has drawn outrage from Yarra Glen residents at its poor timing, and a change in policy from the apologetic venue.
A 40 square-metre fire erupted at Yarra Glen’s Balgownie estate on Saturday 18 January at 9.15pm, after a suspected firework malfunction at a private function.
Resident Paul Keedle, who lives 500 metres from the venue, rushed to the scene with a 1000-litre tank on the back of his ute and worked to extinguish the fire.
Five fire trucks from Yarra Glen, Coldstream and Dixons Creek all attended shortly after, with 25 members in total on the scene – but found it difficult to access the site quickly.
Mr Keedle criticised Balgownie estate’s Fire Risk Management Plan and said that, after four days of 40-degree weather, fireworks posed an unacceptable risk to properties, residents and livestock.
“People are still extremely on edge from the disaster of Black Saturday,” he said.
“If this fire hadn’t been acted on properly, it could have taken our hectares upon hectares of dry grass on hilly terrain.”
Balgownie estate general manager Gerald Ackroyd apologised for the fire and any related anxiety, but insisted that all proper procedures had been followed, including consultation with CFA and notifying neighbours.
He said that, as a result of the fire, the venue would issue policies immediately to not use fireworks throughout summer months, review emergency procedures and staff training and review the property to ensure easy access for the CFA to remote areas.
“We could never pretend to understand the trauma the community went through with the 2009 bushfires,” Mr Ackroyd said.
“I can appreciate what that meant and can only apologise to the local community.”
He thanked Mr Keedle and CFA crews for their quick response to the fire and said that, in hindsight and now-knowing the community’s feelings, he would not have allowed the fireworks.
Yarra Glen CFA Captain Bill Boyd said his personal opinion was that fireworks should be banned in the area year-round and that he discouraged the use of fireworks to Mr Ackroyd earlier on the Saturday.
Monday 20 January marks the beginning of the fire danger period for the Yarra Ranges, and no burning off of materials can be undertaken without a permit and fireworks cannot be used without a permit fromt he CFA.
For more information, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
