THE millions of dollars the new Labor Government has earmarked to advertise the "leave and live" campaign has incensed some farming communities that believe the money would be better spent reducing fire fuel loads.
Nillumbik's Mary McDonald said the latest bushfire campaign announced on Sunday was "cause for alarm" because it was wasteful and did not recognise the reality of many country towns.
She added the $3.5m spend on the new "leave and live" campaign would be better spent on reducing fuel loads.
"Couldn't common sense prevail and fuel loads be reduced so that firefighters could deal with a lower-intensity, controllable fire rather than high fuel loads resulting in high-intensity, uncontrollable bushfires?" she said.
The "leave early" campaign did not address the difficulties for individuals, families and communities in packing up and leaving, including limited exit routes, vulnerable citizens and community services, she said.
"After a few 'leave and live' days people may not have confidence in the advertised system," Ms McDonald said.
Victoria's emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley (pictured) said the $3.5m advertising campaign that urged Victorians to "leave and live" this summer was important as forecasts were predicting a long, hot and dry season.
Mr Lapsley said Country Fire Authority (CFA) research following the 2013-14 season found 75 per cent of Victorians believed they were likely to or would definitely be told when to leave by emergency services.
"This is telling us that people are waiting for a fire truck to show up at their house or to receive a warning to their phone before they act," he said.
Despite having plans to leave early, these intentions did not always translate into action, he said.
New Premier Daniel Andrews said CFA members should not have to knock on people's doors to urge them to leave when they were fighting fires.
