But council officers warn it is possible that none will meet the strict criteria set down in changes to the CFA Act in the aftermath of Black Saturday.

Acting infrastructure, sustainability and environment director Mark Verbaken said some sites that appeared suitable had already been ruled out by fire authorities.

“We have had the Victorian Government, through this new legislation, say that we must adopt a municipal safer places plan so that we can identify and adopt neighbourhood safer places,” he said.

“It says you need to have a plan, not a place.

“That is subject to a range of criteria — from access to egress, signage and topography — all these factors need to be considered before a place can be further considered by the CFA.

“We have already seen that some of the 52 towns highlighted as being at greatest risk before last summer couldn’t find a suitable place.”

Mr Verbaken said the CFA had already trimmed a list of potential sites in Wodonga to eight.

“Now we need to process them,” he said.

“It may be we end up with three, two, perhaps none.

“We think some spots will meet the standards but the reality is there are no guarantees.”

Mr Verbaken said the places of last resort would be spartan but would still carry a cost to the council.

“These are places of last resort — they will have no facilities, it is not a place to go and sit out the day.

“It is a place for when everything has failed and you realise you can’t defend your home.

“But the fallout of these changes is that much of the cost has come back to the council.

“The Municipal Association of Victoria is now working with all councils to assess the cost impact from these new demands.

“But the reality is, now the planning, identifying and maintaining of these sites as well as other demands are a part of our budget that weren’t required last year.”

Editorial — page 14