NEW state-of-the-art digital technology is being rolled out to provide up-to-date information on fire risk in Ararat.
Liberal candidate for Ripon Louise Staley said Ararat's new automated fire danger rating (AFDR) sign, on the Western Highway just east of Ararat, is one of 20 new signs to be rolled out across the state as part of the Victorian Coalition Government's $2.86 million investment to make Victoria fire ready.
"The new digital sign will display the fire danger rating, and provides the local community with the latest ratings forecast on how dangerous a fire would be if one started. It will be automatically updated from the CFA website as conditions change," Ms Staley said.
Nationals candidate for Ripon Scott Turner said Victoria has led the way with this technology, becoming the first Australian state to roll it out.
"These new signs will bring the total number of AFDR signs to 85, and provide Victorians with another way to access information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety," Mr Turner said.
"The sign can also display an alert message that lets drivers know about changing conditions."
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells said that this is another example of how the Napthine Government is building a safer and fire ready Victoria.
"The Coalition Government delivered the initial rollout of 65 automated fire danger rating signs in time for the last fire season which has provided an increase to community safety in rural and regional Victoria," Mr Wells said.
"While these signs are a highly visible way to get the latest Fire Danger Rating information, residents living in Ararat should ensure they continue to seek fire information from a variety of sources."
The automated system is in addition to 350 static fire danger rating signs that CFA brigades manually update every day during the summer fire season.
Fire Danger Ratings are also available on CFA's website www.emergency.vic.gov.au or by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
