Council reviews the locations – currently in Ararat, Elmhurst, Streatham, Lake Bolac, Moyston and Willaura – each year, in accordance with the Country Fire Authority Act 1958.

At a meeting on Tuesday night, the council discussed its latest review of each site, which was due before the end of this month.

Council requested the authority to assess these sites.

A report presented at Tuesday’s meeting said the authority found the six sites met assessment guidelines, with the ones at Willaura, Streatham and Moyston requiring vegetation in the area to be maintained to less than 100mm during the fire danger period.

The report stated Neighbourhood Safer Places were locations where a person’s prospects of survival might be better than other places, but that the locations did not guarantee safety.

Cr Peter Beales said there seemed to be some confusion in the community over the location of these places, with some people believing they were refuges.

“Clearly, the documentation shows that it is a CFA assessment, which council has to ratify,” he said.

“They are not refuges, they are a place of last resort. People have to realise that.

“I think the more we mention that, the better.”

Council’s community information manager Matthew Wood echoed Cr Beale’s statements.

“They are purely places of last resort when every other plan that you had or have has failed,” he said.

“You might not die, but you might be burnt.”

The Country Fire Authority defines the places – also known as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort – as locations that might provide some protection from direct flame and heat from a fire, but do not guarantee safety.

The authority states these places should not be confused with community fire refuges, relief centres or assembly areas, which have different purposes.