Some locals are frustrated at a perceived lack of effort from VicRoads in maintaining grass and vegetation surrounding the town’s main thoroughfare – the Colac-Ballarat Road.

Cliff Bilston was on the phone when he saw smoke billowing across his back paddock.

“It’s not the public’s responsibility,” said Mr Bilston, who regularly collects rubbish and leaves on the fringe of the highway.

Mr Bilston said roads at Rokewood and Cape Clear were “immaculate” compared to those surrounding Dereel.

The fire jumped across the Colac-Ballarat Road mid-afternoon on Sunday and bulldozers were brought in later in the evening to destroy some damaged trees lining the road.

Rick Olsson’s property borders the road and he said the build-up of shrub and debris along the road was concerning. 

Sunday’s fire burnt most of Mr Bilston’s two-hectare block, with flames coming within 10 metres of his home.

“It was the biggest fright of my life,” said Mr Bilston, while describing the fire as “ very quick and very nasty”. 

A 15-year Dereel resident, Mr Bilston said the major bushfire of March 2013, which destroyed 16 homes and 1300 hectares, had made the community more prepared heading into this year’s bushfire season.

However, Dereel is still without a mobile phone tower and has been nominated for funding in the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, with successful locations expected to be announced in early 2015. 

VicRoads regional director for South Western Victoria William Tieppo said the highway was slashed in December, however trees lining the Colac-Ballarat Road south of Dereel made it difficult to cut grass within three metres of the road.

Mr Tieppo said VicRoads planned to prioritise the removal of hazardous trees and pine seedling that constituted a fire risk on parts of the highway.

william.vallely@fairfaxmedia.com.au