HIGH FIRE DANGER WARNING FOR NORTHERN NSW

By Sarah Waters

Hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the bushfire season with more than 50 fires currently burning across the state.

Six bushfires continue to burn in the Northern Rivers and high fire danger is forecast for several areas in the state’s north this week.

Firefighters are still battling the blaze which has swept through Tyagarah Nature Reserve and burnt through more than 700 hectares of bush.

The fire started at Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay on October 14.

Strong southerly winds pushed the fire north through Tyagarah towards Brunswick Heads.

Multiple trucks and waterbombing aircraft were used to strengthen containment lines and protect properties in Brunswick Heads with many residents sharing photos of thick smoke billowing across their houses.

By the time this story went to print, the RFS alert level had been downgraded to Advice and the fire was under control.

A number of residents in Byron Bay believe the fire was started by a person who was camping, but a spokesperson for the RFS did not confirm this and said the cause was being investigated.

The RFS said it was important that residents are prepared for the threat of a fire and stay up-to-date with the changing conditionsvisit the Hazards Near Me app and the RFS website www.rfs.nsw. gov.au/fnm.

Meanwhile, Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon extended his thanks to the firefighters and all the people who worked on the fire.

“These men and women, who are mostly volunteers, do such a magnificent and dangerous job and I really want to recognise their efforts,” Mr Lyon said.

“It’s been an incredibly stressful and tense time for people living near the fire front, and the strong winds in recent days have made things very unpredictable.

“Unfortunately, this is a glimpse of what our summer could look like and it’s a warning to everyone to be prepared and to have a plan in the event of a fire,” he said. Information on bushfires and how to prepare can be accessed via Byron Shire Council’s online Emergency Dashboard emergency.byron.nsw. gov.au.

Funding Available To Spruce Up Clarence And Richmond Valley Public Assets

Clarence and Richmond Valley community groups that use Crown land should consider putting their hat in the ring for a share of $16 million in a newly opened round of grants for repairs, maintenance and improvements on state-owned reserves.

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson said the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund provides funding to look after and improve community, recreational and tourism facilities on publicly owned property.

“Typical beneficiaries include public halls, showgrounds (including freehold), parks and reserves, commons and other Crown reserves,” Mr Williamson said.

“It’s really important these community assets are maintained as they are both social and economic focal points for everyone whether it be attending meetings or going to social activities like the local show or sporting game.

“Thanks for the former Coalition Government, several projects were completed through the Fund including upgrades to Casino,

Grafton and Maclean showgrounds, the Casino Community Men’s Shed, Glenreagh Recreation Reserve, Copmanhurst, Lawrence, Bentley and Ellangowan public halls, Hawthorne Park in South Grafton along with many more public reserves across the Richmond and Clarence valleys.

Grant applications are open to Crown land managers including local councils, community organisations and user groups that are licensed to use Crown reserves, as well as commons and showgrounds on freehold land.

Applications close on Friday, 17 November. For more information visit www.reservemanager. crownland.nsw.gov.au.