Due to major upgrade works being undertaken through the Victorian Government's Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, the Bendigo Showgrounds in Holmes Road North Bendigo will be unavailable as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort (also known as a Neighbourhood Safer Place) should bushfire threaten this summer.
Other Bushfire Places of Last Resort in Greater Bendigo are located at:
- Axedale Primary School Oval, 81 High Street Axedale
- Lansell Square Shopping Centre car park, Calder Highway Kangaroo Flat
- Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street Bendigo
- Canterbury Park car park and events area, Simpsons Road Eaglehawk
- Maiden Gully Primary School, basketball courts, Carolyn Way
- Lord's Raceway, McIvor Highway Junortoun
- Strathfieldsaye Community Hub - Club Court (JG Edwards Oval east of cricket pitch to Uxbridge Street)
- Dower Park, Station Street Kangaroo Flat
- Redesdale Recreation Reserve oval, Corner Moylans Road and Kyneton-Heathcote Road
- Holy Rosary Primary School oval, 18 Pohlman Street Heathcote
City of Greater Bendigo Climate Change and Environment Manager Michelle Wyatt said people who would normally choose the Bendigo Showgrounds as a Place of Last Resort should instead consider using the Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street Bendigo or the Canterbury Park Car Park off Simpsons Road Eaglehawk.
"These two sites are the closest to the Bendigo Showgrounds," said Ms Wyatt.
"Bushfire Places of Last Resort are a place of last resort in a bushfire emergency and should only be used if all other plans have failed.
"They should not be considered as places to relocate to when leaving early and Emergency Services and other support agencies will not be in place to provide assistance.
"If you choose to shelter at a Bushfire Place of Last Resort you will need to take your own food and water, protective clothing, pet food, a mobile phone, radio, first aid and medications."
