Blaze Aid Camp to start

14 April 2019

VOLUNTEERS from across the nation will descend on Inverell this Thursday for an eight week Blaze Aid initiative to help farmers rebuild bushfire struck fences.

Inverell Shire Council mayor, Paul Harmon says the announcement follows the recent Tingha Plateau fire which burnt through more than 23,400 hectares of land, destroying 14 houses and 44 outbuildings.

“We know that hundreds of kilometres of farm fences have been lost in the fires, so Council certainly welcomes Blaze Aid’s arrival and has been working with the State Government and local organisations to establish the Blaze Aid camp at the Showground”.

“Blaze Aid is a registered charity which assists communities recovering from natural disasters by providing volunteer labour and assistance to those in need”.

To date, eighteen rural landholders have stepped forward to receive Blaze Aid assistance, however, Cr Harmon says landholders are still encouraged to add their name to the list and can do so by contacting council.

“The Blaze Aiders work alongside landholders to help rebuild fences and structures that have been damaged or destroyed in the bushfire and include retired tradespeople and farmers”.

“The volunteers come with all their own equipment and insurance and can also provide vouchers to purchase fencing materials”.

Cr Harmon says the camp is expected to inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Inverell economy through purchases of food, fencing equipment, services and fuel from locally owned businesses.

Blaze Aid expects up to 40 volunteers to be camped at the Inverell Showground at any one time, who will work in the field from 8am – 5pm each day, before returning to the camp site each night.

Blaze Aid is calling for local clubs, volunteer groups or businesses to sign up to participate on a roster to prepare an evening meal for Blaze Aid volunteers once each fortnight.

Organisations wishing to assist can contact Inverell Shire Council on 6728 8288.

For further information contact:
Fiona Adams | Inverell Shire Council | PO Box 138, Inverell NSW 2360 | 02 6728 8288 | Fiona.Adams@inverell.nsw.gov.au