Disaster recovery organisation BlazeAid sets up new camp at Lismore Greyhound track

After months slogging it out helping farmers rebuild after the 2022 northern NSW floods, BlazeAid was set to pack up and leave – but a critical lifeline was offered. Here’s what happened.

BlazeAid campsite co-ordinator Gary Lawrence is gearing up with volunteers to continue to help farmers recover from the 2022 floods.

Greyhound Racing NSW has given disaster recovery charity BlazeAid a new rent-free home at a northern NSW track after the organisation was nearly forced to leave the region.

BlazeAid is a volunteer organisation which helps rural Australians rebuild after natural disasters – like the devastating floods which tore through the north of the state early last year.

Settling in at Lismore Greyhound Racing Track, it comes as a multi-agency firefighting effort is underway to combat a blaze near Evans Head, about 40 minutes drive away.

Thankfully, no properties are under threat in that fire, which stretches hundreds of hectares.

Floodwaters reached the second floor of the track premises.

BlazeAid campsite co-ordinator Gary Lawrence said he arrived in Lismore last week to scout possible sites and eventually pinpointed the track as the “best option”.

Mr Lawrence said they looked into using community halls and areas more off the beaten path, but the track worked too well.

It follows the ending of the charity’s lease at Casino Showgrounds and Rappville Showgrounds in the Richmond Valley Council LGA.

BlazeAid was not able extend the lease.

“We’ve had to rebuild everything in terms of setting up kitchen facilities because that was all obliterated (in the floods),” Mr Lawrence said.

ADF Corporal Rebecca Barry with a BlazeAid volunteer helping farmer Gordon Carter at Casino.

Gear coming from Macksville includes fridges, freezers and cooking utensils, along with trailers, campers and tools to repair or replace fences in the region.

Mr Lawrence said 14 farmers have already put their hand up for help in the Lismore area – and there’s still about 200 jobs unfinished in the Richmond Valley.

“19 months on (from the 2022 floods) some of the work we’re doing here is completely different,” he said.

Mr Lawrence explained the main focus was on restoring boundary fencing after temporary measures were put in place.

Farmers can reach out to the BlazeAid camp and they will be placed on a register.

BlazeAid runs a site assessment before dispatching a vehicle hauling a trailer full of fencing tools, along with a team of four.

Following help given to some primary producers in Woodburn, Mr Lawrence said the work was not just about fixing a fence, but talking to those affected.

“One of their comments to me was ‘you don’t know just how appreciative we farmers are back here’,” he said.

Greyhound Racing NSW CEO Robert Macaulay is pleased to welcome BlazeAid.

Rob Macaulay, chief executive officer of Greyhound Racing NSW, said the four-month rent-free agreement for BlazeAid was a way of giving back to the community.

“BlazeAid approached us and asked us if they could camp out at the track for a few months, so we’ve allowed that to happen,” he said.

The track is currently unable to hold races due to safety regulations.

Mr Macaulay said plans were still in place to turn the track into a training centre in the next few months.

Lismore City Council Mayor Steve Krieg said the BlazeAid deal was “wonderful news”.

“I am happy to hear they have now found a home at the Lismore greyhound track, where their volunteers can stay for the duration of their time with BlazeAid,” he said.

Mr Lawrence and Cr Krieg asked locals who would like to pitch in to phone [phone], or drop into the track.