BlazeAid set up camp in Corindi after storm leaves path of destruction

Volunteers return for third time in a year as challenge to repair 27 kilometres of fencing continues

A raspberry grower had his crop and equipment decimated by the force of flash flooding on Sherwood Creek Rd. Photo: Tim Jarrett

BlazeAid are back.

The growing volunteer organisation, originally founded to repair fencing after bushfires, have returned to the Coffs Coast this time with the aim of helping out the small community of Corindi.

As work to rebuild and repair about 27 kilometres of fencing following a horrendous storm continues the group are calling on locals to lend a hand.

BlazeAid Camp Coordinator, Bob Abdoo, says volunteers do not need to have fencing expertise.

“We provide on-the-job training and any time volunteered – whether it’s one day or a week – will help us achieve positive results for the Corindi community,” he said.

Corindi was devastated by a ferocious storm on Thursday February 25, 2021.

The Corindi community is still recovering after a morning of mayhem back in February. Almost 300mm of rain fell in a matter of hours, causing what some described as a ‘tsunami’ of water to flow across the landscape, destroying property in the process.

Emergency services personnel described being powerless to help those in need after floodwaters cut off road access to houses along Corindi Park Drive and Sherwood Creek Road.

It was estimated that more than 30 homes were damaged by flash flooding with some 12 irreparably.

BlazeAid works with families and individuals in rural Australia after disasters to rebuild fences and other structures and relies on the support of volunteers and local communities to keep them fed and housed as they provide the free assistance.

Backpackers Hannah Jackson and Kristian Fernandez-Brown helped rebuild fences with BlazeAid in Nana Glen after the 2019 bushfires.

In March 2020, the Glenreagh BlazeAid camp even enlisted the support of local backpackers to help rebuild after the devastating bushfires of 2019.

“BlazeAid provides vital recovery assistance in helping with physical recovery, but more importantly their presence buoys the community and contributes to the overall community recovery,” said Coffs Harbour City Council community recovery officer Melinda Brooks.

“This is the third time Council has worked with BlazeAid in the past 12 months and their commitment and assistance is greatly appreciated.”

If you have the time and capacity to help the Corindi community, please contact Bob on 0476 679 518 or email [e-mail].