For the past two weeks citizens have viewed harrowing pictures of the death and destruction wreaked by the Victorian bushfires. At the same time they must wonder when we will suffer a similar fate from the magnificent forests cascading down from the escarpment to the coastal plain.
It is not a matter of " if " the escarpment forests will burn. It is simply a matter of " when " - and all it will take is the right weather conditions - the right fierce winds - and a spark !
What is almost unbelievable is that Wollongong has no early warning system - and no escape plan to evacuate citizens from monstrous fire storms.
The most vulnerable are those living in the seaside villages from Bulli Pass to Stanwell Park. Residents of Coledale, Coalcliff, Wombarra, Scarborough, Austinmer and Thirroul have only one road offering escape - Lawrence Hargreave Drive !
We already know what happens when overload occurs - as example that thunderstorm that cleared the beaches - and resulted in a traffic jam that took hours to clear.
The fire people urge householders to have a fire plan and drill all members on safely evacuating in a fire - and yet Wollongong Council and the members of parliament who represent this area have made no attempt to devise such a plan or put such a plan into practice.
We need two things - and we need them urgently. This year's fire season is not over and global warming has increased the danger - and extended the likely time frame.
We need a warning system to alert residents near the escarpment forests that they need to leave their homes and take shelter - and we need an evacuation plan to ensure that this can happen in an orderly manner.
Like that household fire drill - this plan needs to be well publicised and known to the people who live with fire danger. It may well be the only difference between survival and death !
A fire roaring down the escarpment similar to the fires in Victoria would be unstoppable - no matter what fire trucks and equipment were deployed. When it happens we will certainly lose a large number of homes - and sufffer the misery that will cause - but loss of life can be prevented - or at least sharply reduced.
All it would take is good forward planning - and that is what is missing - and doesn't even appear to be a priority with those we elected to represent us !
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