City of Ballarat assists CFA to establish base camp at Victoria Park

Victoria Park will become home to over 300 firefighters with a base camp quickly being established that may be in place for over a month.

The City of Ballarat is assisting Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to quickly establish a base camp before weather conditions worsen on Wednesday. Support includes access to two ovals, expediting permit processes for marquees, providing waste management services to the site, and communicating with residents around Victoria Park.

Large marquees to accommodate the CFA and other support agencies will be set up by Wednesday on ovals 6 and 7 on Military Drive opposite the Ballarat Dog Obedience Club pavilion. Both pavilions will be set up as command stations and oval 8 will be used for parking.

The camp will provide much-needed facilities to firefighters who are currently working to contain fires to the west of Ballarat including showers, toilets, laundry, kitchen and accommodation.

Road closures
There will be road closures in and around the park beginning from today (Monday 26 February) to facilitate the traffic management needed for the camp. FFMV, CFA and the City of Ballarat are working with Victoria Police on these road closures.

Impact on park users
Council’s Sport and Recreation team will work with the Ballarat Cricket Association (BCA) and other users (such as the Dog Obedience Club, school sports, soccer club and the Ballarat Football and Netball Club) to coordinate any impacts and to work through potential alternative venue options. 

Events planned to take place at Victora Park over the coming month are not expected to be impacted by the base camp's establishment.  These events include the Red Hot Summer Tour on Saturday 16 March and Summer Salt on Sunday 17 March.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer West Region, Brett Boatman said there were no fires in Ballarat and the base camp will act as a hub for movements to fire grounds.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said that Ballarat was only too willing to help our firefighters who have been battling fires since Thursday last week to the west of Ballarat.

“The City of Ballarat is pleased to offer our support to the CFA who are doing an outstanding job battling the blazes that are yet to be brought under control,” he said.

“We ask people who live around and travel in the Victoria Park precinct to be mindful of the camp that’s quickly being established. We are trying to minimise the impacts on regular park users but roads into the park will need to be closed. Please be patient and understanding of the important work that’s being done to assist our emergency support agencies.

“And with extreme weather conditions predicted for Wednesday, it’s also a timely reminder for us all to ensure our properties are fire ready – ensure your grass has been slashed and your gutters cleared. We all need to play our part.”