Black Summer bushfire pain still real for many south coast residents amid housing crisis

Almost two years after the devastating bushfires that tore through the far south coast, just 34 of 467 lost homes have been rebuilt amid an ongoing housing crisis.

Almost two years after reports of distraught residents being forced to live in tents and caravans following the “Black Summer” bushfires, local government is still scrambling to deal with the issue amid a housing crisis.

A spokesman for Bega Valley Shire Council said out of the 467 dwellings were lost in the region during the devastating bushfires, just 34 have been rebuilt.

In response to the bushfires, the NSW Government allowed for the temporary occupation of land in “a moveable dwelling”, such as a tent or a caravan, for up to two years.

With the two-year time frame soon to expire, the council hasvoted to allow residents “more time” to rebuild.

Verona’s Caroline Long and her partner Alison Rhodes have only just completed rebuilding after almost two years in a caravan. Picture: Sean Davey.

“Feedback from council’s Recovery Support Service indicates that uncertainty about the status of their occupation beyond the initial two year grace period is affecting the wellbeing of some clients,” the spokesman said.

So far the council has received 117 development applications for dwelling rebuilds and issued 112 development consents, they said.

South East Women and Children’s Services Kylie Furnell told councillors before Wednesday’s meeting that amid the south coast housing crisis, many homeless residents are also living in tents and cars.

Verona resident Caroline Long lost everything in the bushfires, and is one of the few who has been able to rebuild after almost two years living in a caravan.

“It felt odd walking into our home for the first time,” she said.

Bega Valley Shire Council says less than 10 per cent of destroyed homes have been rebuilt. Picture: Toby Zerna

“It didn’t feel like home. The wait was over for us but I really feel for people who are still waiting.”

Ms Long said the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t helped the recovery process, and has caused delays across the board.

“I have a neighbour who has had delays because of Covid, rain and roadworks,” she said.

“Costs for building materials have skyrocketed because they’re not available.

“Someone else I know has been waiting months and months to get a builder.

“There are also delays in the delivery of prebuilt homes because there is a backlog.

“It is soul destroying for the people I know who are still waiting.

Caroline Long and her partner Alison Rhodes at their property in Verona after their home was destroyed in the Black Summer bushfires. Picture: Sean Davey.

“My heart goes out to everyone still in caravans, and I feel so grateful I have a roof,” she said.

Ms Long said even two years on, she is only just beginning the grieving process.

“I think I’ve only just started experiencing grief because I was working the whole time,” she said.

“There is an attitude in some people that everyone who has lost homes should be over it.

“Another comment I’ve heard is that we must be better off than before the fires because we have new homes.

“I just tell them I’d have my old home back in a heartbeat if I could.”