Bowraville Ex-Services Club’s plans for Disaster Support Hub and Communications Centre

A Coffs Coast town linked to footy legend Greg Inglis and MasterChef star Billie McKay has bold plans to brace for future natural disasters. See what’s proposed.

The support hub at Bowraville would operate 24 hours a day in times of emergency.

A Coffs Coast RSL club plans to splash $750,000 on expansions to create a refuge when the community is next threatened by bushfire or flood.

The Bowraville & District Ex-Services project is backed by funding from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants to construct a Disaster Support Hub and Communications Centre.

Features of the hub include a new commercial kitchen and covered deck dining spaces, and toilet and shower amenities with disabled access.

In times of emergency, the support hub would operate 24 hours a day. At other times licensed club hours are 10am to 10pm.

Bowraville & District Ex-Services Club will act as a refuge. Picture: Chris Knight

The township of Bowraville was on the doorstep of the flames in the 2019/20 Black Summer, when fire tore through the rural community of South Arm.

Bowraville is also no stranger to flood, and is frequently isolated from its sister towns of Macksville and Nambucca Heads.

NRL legend Greg Inglis visits St Mary's Catholic School in his home town of Bowraville.

It’s argued the RSL club’s plans will strengthen community resilience in a town known as much for its stoic character as being the home of NRL legend Greg Inglis and MasterChef winner Billie McKay.

According to planning documents before Nambucca Valley Council, the hub will become a focal point during disasters – providing hot meals, shelter from weather, showers, toilets and a baby change area for evacuated and stranded people.

The Kian Rd fire – part of the 2019-20 Black Summer ring of flame – teased and terrorised the Nambucca Valley in 2019. Picture: Chris Knight

It is not intended that people will sleep on the premises.

As well as two large covered deck seating areas, plans include a commercial and camp kitchen, amenities block and secure children’s play area.

The upstairs floor plan for the Disaster Support Hub and Communications Centre at Bowraville. Picture: Ron Hawkins & Associates

The club will also install satellite internet and communications equipment, additional roof solar panels, storage batteries and a large diesel generator – so the hub can remain operational even if the main electricity grid fails.

Ron Hawkins & Associates, the consulting engineers, note in a statement of environmental effects: “Recent bushfires and floods revealed a lack of proper disaster facilities in the town,” consulting engineers Ron Hawkins & Associates note in a statement of environmental effects.

“This hub will be a boon for the town … where food and shelter, hot showers, change facilities and updated information could be obtained,” it reads.

“(It) will be a major advantage for residents, emergency services and volunteers alike in times of disaster.”