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The Moorabool News – 28 June, 2022 Page 11
Vandalism puts hikers at risk By Lachlan Ellis Emergency services personnel are angry, and for good reason. A local hiking trail emergency marker has fallen victim to graffiti, defacing the important identifying detail, that could potentially put lives at risk. The Bacchus Marsh SES Unit posted a photo of the graffitied emergency marker in the Lerderderg State Park on their social media, with white ‘tags’ surrounding and somewhat obscuring the emergency marker number at the bottom. Unit Controller Bill Robson explained the importance of being able to read the signs clearly during emergency situations. “These markers are a lifeline for lost or injured people. We have had people quote them previously to direct us to people who are both lost or suffering serious injuries. To think people are taking marker pens and paint into a State Park to graffiti signs is pretty sad,” Mr Robson told the Moorabool News. “Surprisingly a lot of the signage has been graffitied in the past. Who knows why, it’s very disappointing.” The emergency markers are located at strategic locations throughout the Lerderderg and Werribee Gorges, with this particular marker located around two kilometres in from the car park. Each emergency marker contains a unique number, which can be read to emergency services to let them know where you are. They also contain directional information for lost people. Parks Victoria will now have to clean up the signage to make it clearly legible again. See something, say something – Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
The LER503 marker that has been vandalised over time, almost making it unreadable. Photos – BM SES/Parks Vic
Signs to rate fire danger Changes are coming to the Fire Danger Rating (FDR) with a new message, but what do the signs mean. The signs are placed on major highways and in rural township areas; the Fire Danger Ratings describe the potential level of danger should a bushfire start. A spokesperson for the Greendale Rural Fire Brigade said in a post on social media they are important because they provide people with information. “… so that they can take action to protect themselves and others from the potentially dangerous impacts of bushfires.” Ratings are calculated using a combination of weather forecasting and information about vegetation that could fuel a fire. The new Fire Danger Ratings will now have four levels (instead of six) – Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic. In line with the changes to the FDR system, Australian fire services are planning to introduce a new fire danger rating sign this year. It aims to improve public safety and reduce the impacts of bushfire by improving: • information • communication • decision-making tools The fire danger rating system will also be a nationally consistent model, giving consistency across the country (which is great for those travelling across borders). Further information is available at https://www.afac.com.au/initiative/afdrs
For the CFA, a state-based media campaign will commence early August focused on describing the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System and why the community will see signs being replaced. The Greendale Rural Fire Brigade will continue to inform residents and the wider community, as more detailed information is provided.
Crime stats see seven-year low The latest Victorian crime figures have been released for the 12-months to the end of March 2022, with a year-on-year decrease of more than 10 per cent. The Crime Statistics Agency officially released the figures on Thursday 16 June, revealing that 470,405 criminal offences were recorded in that 12-month period – a decrease of 11.5 per cent. The figure represents the lowest number of criminal offences committed in the year ending March since 2015. Moorabool has seen an even sharper decline in offences recorded, from 2,634 for the 12-months to the end of March 2021, to 2,038 for the 12-months to the end of March 2022 – a decrease of 22.6 per cent. Four of the top five Moorabool suburbs for crime – Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Ballan, and Gordon – all saw decreases in offences recorded, while Maddingley saw a slight increase, from 266 last year to 275 this year. Victoria Police said they were also pleased to see the lowest number of victims across the state since the introduction of the Law Enforcement Assistance Program in 1993, with 4,182 less victims of crime than the previous year, and 41,061 less victims than the year ending March 2020 for a pre-pandemic comparison.
“It’s incredibly pleasing to see crime continue to reduce not only year-on-year, but from the levels we saw pre pandemic as well,” Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations, Rick Nugent, said. “Importantly, we are seeing a reduction in the number of victims in our community and the number of people offending, particularly in relation to youth – this shows
our collaboration with external partners to implement early intervention initiatives is making an impact and diverting young people away from crime.” The number of youth offenders is down nearly 10 per cent from five years ago, and decreased eight per cent for the year ending March 2022, compared to the year before. Residential burglaries are at the lowest levels for a year ending in March since the introduction of the Law Enforcement Assistance Program in 1993, while thefts are at their lowest levels since 2013, and robberies at their lowest levels in the last decade. Drug related offending also experienced a significant reduction, with drug dealing/trafficking dropping by around 1,700 offences and drug use and possession reducing by around 8,000 offences. “Whether it’s the local police officers patrolling your neighbourhood, the AirWing’s eyes from up above, the PSOs patrolling your local train station, specialist investigators listening to the stories of victims and supporting them, or the detectives knocking on the doors of known serious and violent criminals – be assured Victoria Police is doing everything we can to keep you safe,” Deputy Commissioner Nugent said.