FIREFIGHTERS face delays responding to emergency calls during the fire season and to holiday road accidents because of “badly timed” roadworks, according to Yan Yean MLA Danielle Green.
Ms Green said the closure of Craigieburn Road East at Epping Road, Wollert, in July had cut the Wollert and Epping CFA brigades off from the most direct routes west towards the Hume Highway.
“This is a disaster waiting to happen. The fire season is about to be declared and the area that’s cut off is subject to grass fire,” she said.
“Thousands of residents have their community cut in half at the moment. I have been receiving complaints about it for months.”
Epping brigade captain Heath Kenzie said the roadworks had caused delays, while Wollert CFA first lieutenant Graeme McKimmie said his brigade had complained to CFA district management.
The roadworks are being done by developer Stockland. VicRoads spokeswoman Patricia Liew said the organisation was aware of potential problems the roadworks could cause.
“VicRoads approved works on Craigieburn Road East with the stipulation that they were to be completed as early as possible prior to Christmas,” she said.
“This was to allow the Epping and Wollert CFAs access to the road for the majority of the fire season, delivering benefits while ensuring safety for the community.”
She said VicRoads investigated the possibility of maintaining access to the road during the works, but it was found not to be practical. She said the work was due to be finished by December 17.
A spokeswoman for CFA headquarters said it had taken steps to counter the problems caused by the roadworks, including adding an extra brigade to respond to emergencies in the area and developing a designated route through the new estate south of Craigieburn Road East.
“The road workers assist us to ensure we receive priority when accessing certain roads during an emergency,” she said.
