Peregian: ‘Being able to evacuate quickly is our new reality’

As Peregian recovers from a series of bushfires last year, the local Deputy Mayor says residents must face the fact that dangerous fires will be part of their future.

PEREGIAN was menaced with a series of bushfires starting in early September last year and ending just before Christmas Day, but the green shoots of recovery are already appearing in the picturesque Sunshine Coast enclave.

Australia was stunned to see bushfires, often associated with the nation’s interior, roaring across the Peregian region as the fires fed on the dry timber in the southern end of the Noosa National Park.

Katie Panic, 24, stands among the regrowth in one of the spots devastated by bushfires at Peregian. Picture: Lachie Millard

Numerous homes were damaged but just one was totally lost to the blazes.

Australian Governor-General, David Hurley, toured the region in early October to meet residents impacted by the fires, some of which were alleged to have been deliberately lit.

Noosa’s Deputy Mayor, Frank Wilkie, who has lived in Peregian for 25 years, says the resilient community has bounced back from the ordeal, and emerged stronger and more closely connected.

“We do realise that the fire threat has increased and, looking forward, we know that getting ready to evacuate quickly is the new reality we have to accept,’’ Cr Wilkie, who was evacuated from his own home twice, said.

But, for now, the fire threat has gone after a massive downpour on Saturday afternoon soaked the region and ensured fire bans could be lifted.

Peregian Beach, which draws thousands of tourists each summer, managed to have a reasonably good tourism season despite the fires.

Cr Wilkie said local tourism operators were looking forward to more visitors over the rest of Summer.

“It’s a beautiful part of the world and visitors are more than welcome.’’