Dear Minister
I am a resident of Spicketts Creek in the Bellingen Shire and also
a member of the Brierfield Bushfire Brigade. Many of us in the
Spicketts Creek and wider Brierfield area are seriously concerned
that restoration of the the Bellingen-Bowraville Road is still in
limbo. For us this road is a major infrastructure asset and
important access trunk for firefighters.
In 2009 this road was severed by major flooding events and still
it has not been restored to its original capacity, leaving
residents vulnerable.
We had been hopeful, recently, regarding plans to upgrade and
maintain this road as a Category 1 Tanker specification fire
trail, as proposed by the Nambucca Shire Council. This would at
least give residents an escape route in emergency as well as help
in fire protection and mitigation.
However, it is with disbelief and dismay that I have learned that
the proposal mentioned above is being sidelined by you while yet
another report is sought.
For well over a week, a fire on Helliwells Road at Missabotti has,
until yesterday, been out of control. Last week, with very high
winds, the fire broke out on the north side of the ridge where the
Missabotti fire was going. Eventually the westerly winds and
normal fire behaviour caused the fire to spread to the north and
west. Technically, responsibility for the fire was with the Lower
Mid North Coast RFS and State Forests however, our Brigade adjoins
theses jurisdictions and in reality, we are the ones who may be
called to assist, due to terrain and access.
Danger has abated for the moment and we hope for rain, however,
the situation highlights the importance of the
Bellingen-Bowraville Road.
My own property is about 8 km from the northern edge of the
Missabotti fire, while it was burning I could clearly see it from
my home and I attach a photo. It certainly was more spectacular
at night! I can only image what residents nearer to the fire,
with only the Bowraville Road for access, were feeling.
I am extremely disappointed at the response of the Government on
this matter. Another example of those of us in rural areas being
patted on the head and set aside.
This road needs to be fixed URGENTLY!
Sandy Radke
1111 Bowraville Road
Spicketts Creek, NSW 2454
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