Nambucca Heads RSL Club to receive major upgrade for community evacuations during fires, floods
Millions of dollars will be pumped into a RSL club in a Mid-North Coast community surrounded by a ring of fires at the weekend. See what’s planned.
Coffs Harbour
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When Nambucca Valley rural residents fled their homes on the darkest days of the Black Spring fires in 2019, the port of call evacuation centre was the local RSL on the banks of the river.
It provided a safe refuge and comfort for those who had nowhere else to go.
The Nambucca Heads RSL Club helped the community through that period – a bleak still raw chapter for residents. The Kian Rd fire destroyed more than 60 dwellings.
Now, almost $3 million is set to be spent upgrading the club to be better equipped for the next disaster.
Under an initiative driven by the former federal Coalition government, $2.07m has been provided through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants, while the club will tip in close to $750,000.
The funding will see the roof reinstated and re-pitched, solar panels installed, an upgrade of the airconditioning, a clean-up of the electrical system, insulation and stormwater works.
Coffs Coast building company Alurt Pty Ltd is head contractor and the works are expected to be complete in time for Christmas – December 22.
Alurt construction manager Toby McCosker said water poured inside the club during heavy rain due to the design of the roof, so that problem will be fixed.
“We’ll be a safe haven in times of need,” RSL club CEO Wendy Mills said.
She said the club has needed a new roof for about 30 years.
Ms Mills said the club could provide shelter for 200-plus as an evacuation centre, with mattresses laid out in the auditorium and under bar areas.
The club provided meals, clothing and even accommodated pets during the 2019 fires.
“Whatever they needed, we got,” Ms Mills said.
Federal Cowper MP Pat Conaghan said he was driving through the electorate at the weekend, when more than 30 bush and grass fires raked the seat.
The fires caused the Pacific Motorway to close at Clybucca due to the hazard of smoke and flames by the roadside.
The Rural Fire Service, boosted by strike teams from neighbouring districts, was able to get on top of the situation, but it was a stark reminder of how much the country has dried given it is only late winter.
“I can understand that for people who had damage or lost their homes, it would have triggered them significantly,” Mr Conaghan said of the weekend’s fires at Kundabung, Kempsey and Clybucca.
Nambucca RSL president Terrie Hyslop said the club’s contribution to the upgrade would include new fascias, exterior paint and car park stormwater works done by Nambucca Valley Council.
“This is a great community here in Nambucca where people actually look after each other,” Mr Conaghan said.
Similar upgrades of evacuation centres have been made at Bowraville and Crescent Head.
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