Bushfire recovery update

Eurobodalla recovery outreach

Eurobodalla’s Recovery Centre in Batemans Bay will get mobile this Friday, visiting the communities of Mogo and Malua Bay to talk to fire-impacted residents about their needs.

Professional staff who understand the disaster will be on hand to provide support, all in the welcoming atmosphere of a community barbeque. Visiting agencies include Disaster Welfare, NSW Health, Housing, Red Cross, chaplains, Eurobodalla Council and more.

  • For the Mogo community:
    Friday 24 January, 10am to 1pm
    Boomerang Meeting Place, 2 Church Street, Mogo
  • For the Malua Bay community:
    Friday 24 January, 3.30pm-6pm
    Batemans Bay Surf Life Saving Club, 560 George Bass Dr, Malua Bay

The mobile team will visit Bodalla and Narooma next week - Bodalla Hall on Wednesday 29 January, 6pm-8pm and Club Narooma on Thursday 30 January, 6pm-8pm. More details to come.

The Recovery Centre at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club is open every day, including over the long weekend, to support people impacted by the fires. No appointment is necessary. If you need transport to get to the centre, please call Council’s Community Transport on 4474 1040.

Customers impacted by bushfires can also now call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au for assistance.

Eurobodalla fire update

NSW Rural Fire Service public liaison officer Kelwyn White reports that despite recent rainfall, Eurobodalla is expected to experience a return to warm, dry and windy conditions for Wednesday and Thursday. “Increasing fire activity is therefore likely,” she said.

“The fires are still not under control, although easing conditions of late have provided opportunity to implement containment strategies.

“We are asking the community to remain vigilant and not allow complacency to set in, as we are yet to see these strategies tested under adverse conditions.

Kelwyn said as less favourable weather approaches, residents in Eurobodalla’s rural and remote locations should review their bushfire survival plan, and be aware of fire danger ratings and alert levels. She suggests if rural residents are not prepared to the highest standard or willing to stay and defend, they should consider spending the day in more built-up areas with family and friends.

NRL legends visit Eurobodalla

The full Rabbitohs NRL squad is in the Eurobodalla tomorrow, stars and all, to hang with the community at Mackay Park in Batemans Bay from 10am to 11am. Meet the players, kick the ball around, pick up a few new skills. Jeff Cox from Batemans Bay Tigers says this is a huge boost for the local rugby league community and a great opportunity for our young kids to be exposed with some of the best players in the game.

Then next Tuesday 28 January, more than 70 St George Dragons players and staff will arrive in the Eurobodalla, hosting a community family day at Hanging Rock from 2.30pm-5.00pm, and spreading the love across our accommodation and hospitality businesses. More details to come.

Water

Eurobodalla will move to level 4 water restrictions on Tuesday 28 January. Under level 4 water restrictions all outdoor water use is banned, except:

  • Watering gardens with water cans or buckets only, and
  • Washing and rinsing private vehicles on grass with buckets only between either 6-8am or 6-8pm.

Variations apply for specific businesses. Emergency services continue to be exempt from all restrictions. Find out what you can and cannot do at:

Farm fencing

Teams from the Australian Defence Force are helping Eurobodalla’s farmers, clearing downed trees in the heavily impacted areas of Belowra, Cadgee, Nerrigundah, Eurobodalla and Deua Valley. Essential Energy have also come on board, allowing the unburnt sections of fallen energy poles to be reused as fence posts.

For assistance with clearing or fencing, farmers should contact Council on 4474 1000 or council@esc.nsw.gov.au

Clearing of burnt farm buildings and demolition waste is being coordinated by the NSW Government – register at Service NSW.