Cr Tom Tuffin wants a report based on the Australian Standards for fire bunkers, when available, to be prepared on the advisability of making it mandatory to construct bunkers to the standards on any new residential building located in identified fire-prone areas in the shire.

The report would look at the practicality of a bunker, the extra cost to owners, potential for saving lives in the event of a major fire and the position of relevant bodies such as FESA and DEC on the matter.

“Just as it is compulsory to wear a seatbelt in cars it may be necessary to mandate the erection of bunkers in fire-prone areas in the shire to protect residents who may leave themselves exposed to great danger.

“A considerable number of powerful lessons were learnt about the use of bunkers in the Victorian bushfires,” Cr Tuffin said.

“Lives were both lost and saved by bunkers in those fires. The difference appeared to be in the design of the bunkers. They need to be properly designed, smoke proof and preferably underground. As a result of the lessons learnt a set of Australian standards are to be prepared for bunkers.

“My motion simply calls on the shire CEO to examine these standards when they are available and to report to the council on the suitability, or otherwise, of bunkers for identified fire-prone areas of the shire.

“If bunkers are recommended it is anticipated that they will complement, not replace other fireproofing activities.”

Cr Tuffin provided an illustration of what a bunker could look like.

“It doesn’t have to be unsightly,” he said.

It provided safety and enough air for four to five adults for up to four hours, which he said was more than enough time for a bushfire front to have passed or be extinguished.

“This is a relatively short time and unlike the air raid bunkers throughout Britain in World War 11, or the nuclear attack bunkers built in the US during the Cold War, would not have to sustain life for long periods.

“The bunkers could be built by local manufacturers.”