The project will comply with the state legislation which guides the planning of infrastructure in bushfire prone areas.

The final design of the local road network for the southern section was developed following extensive consultation with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Shire of Capel. Alterations and additions to the network were planned to ensure that there were two directions of access and egress for all properties.

The outcome of this consultation was the extension of Jilley Road. This enables Jilley Road to become a service road connecting Ducane Road and Lillydale Road.

In the southern section, two new 50,000 litre water tanks and bores will be installed at Calinup Drive and Ducane Ducane Road. This will improve access to critical water supplies for firefighters during emergencies.

The design of the water tank facilities have been altered based on consultation with DFES and the Shire of Capel. The facilities are suitable for all required vehicles and will feature turnaround bays for fast and efficient access and egress for firefighting vehicles.

A training session was recently held with the Gelorup Volunteer Fire Brigade to practice using these new water tanks. The crew completed hose and pump drills, and ran through how to start the generator and the pumps on site. This training will help their teams to be prepared in an emergency situation.

The South West Gateway Alliance continue to engage with the DFES throughout construction. This is to ensure access through project sites is made available and construction water is accessible in the case of an emergency.