Fed: Stay-or-go safety message to stay in place

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2009
Fed: Stay-or-go safety message to stay in place

Victorian Premier JOHN BRUMBY says the stay-or-go bushfire advice to householder will
remain .. while the royal commission reviews the safety message.

The death toll from the state's fires stands at 181 .. and is expected to rise sharply.

Mr BRUMBY's told ABC radio that compelling people to leave threatened areas .. would
mean evacuating up to half a million people every time there's a medium-to-high fire alert.

He says they couldn't be catered for .. while the stay-or-go policy has served the
state well for 20 years.

The royal commission will look at planning regulations .. building standards .. and
whether fire breaks or bunkers should be built.

MEANWHILE .. Mr BRUMBY says there's no shortage of temporary accommodation available
for people who've lost their homes .. with 750 public housing properties and 12 thousand
private homes offered across the state.

The government's also trying to appoint one case manager for every family affected by the fires.

AAP RTV sld/rl/rt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC BRUMBY (CANBERRA)

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