Granite Belt farmers still reeling six months after devastating bushfires

It’s impossible to forget the ominous red glow that captured surrounding parts of the Southern Downs and Granite Belt in October 2023, with those affected still reeling six months on.

Almost six months after catastrophic bushfires tore through parts of the Southern Downs, and right through to the Queensland border, the clean up continues.

In October of 2023 the country town of Wallangarra was given just 16 minutes to evacuate as a nearby bushfire burned out of control.

The devastation didn’t end there as bushfires began engulfing the surrounding areas of Dalveen, 57km southwest of Wallangarra, and across the Queensland border at Tenterfield.

An estimated 20,000ha of land was destroyed along with multiple structures around the region.

Not-for-profit’s Rural Aid and Blaze Aid have been assisting affected farmers in the Granite Belt with repair works.

Rural Aid volunteers completing repair works at Wilson's Nursery in Dalveen.

RURAL AID CHIPS OFF FIVE YEARS OF REPAIR WORKS

Seven farmers received the help of 32 Rural Aid volunteers this week, taking an estimated five years off of bushfire recovery works for one farmer.

Dalveen fruit and nut farmer Brian Wilson said he was eternally grateful to the Rural Aid volunteers who helped repair at least five years worth of repair works.

Mr Wilson said the financial, physical and mental toll of the fires meant that recovery was an overwhelming thought.

Dalveen fruit and nut farmer Brian Wilson lost 95 per cent of his nursery during the catastrophic bushfires that tore through the Southern Downs & Granite Belt in October 2023.

“Rural Aid turned up and have bought a team, an army of people and hundreds of hours of work have been done fixing irrigation, burying pipes,” he said.

The catastrophic bushfires had destroyed around 95 per cent of Mr Wilson’s fruit tree nursery, with the devastation near forcing him to consider closing down the business of 15 years.

“It ripped up here (the fire) in five to ten minutes and it just took everything out with it,” he said.

“Cars (on the property) were exploding and I had fuel drums up here, it sounded like a war zone.”

Mr Wilson bravely battled the fire in an attempt to protect as much of the property’s infrastructure, devastatingly losing almost everything except for his family home and their vehicles.

Sheep and cattle farmer Del Mitchell was another grazier affected and not for the first time.

Mrs Mitchell recalled the harrowing moment she realised her property was now in the direct line of fire.

“When that fire jumped the (New England Highway) and started coming with a massive wall of flame and I heard the neighbour’s gas cylinders explode we were pretty worried,” she said.

“I heard some cattle bellowing … so I just got on my (quad) bike and tore down opening every gate so they could get out.

“(My cattle) all escaped and I cried when they all came out.”

Mrs Mitchell was quick to take up Rural Aid’s offer of assistance with a number of critical infrastructure still needing repair on the property.

Turners Creek farm owner Del Mitchell and her dog Spanky

“The back corner of my cattle yards were burnt out in the fire and (Rural Aid) have done that already which is wonderful,” she said.

“I wouldn’t be able to put sheep here without a floodgate and now I can (thanks to Rural Aid).”

For anyone looking to get in contact with Rural Aid for assistance, see their website here.

BLAZE AID REPAIR FENCING IN STANTHORPE

Blaze Aid crews have been assisting Stanthorpe farmers repair kilometres of damaged property fences since the end of 2023.

With five crews currently on deck, the not-for-profit has been able to repair around 33 per cent of damaged fencing.

Blaze Aid interim camp co-ordinator Steve Matthews said they had roughly 40 property owners registered and a remaining 51km worth of repairs to complete.

Mr Matthews said registrations had been slow at the beginning, as many were unsure of exactly what Blaze Aid had to offer.

Blaze Aid volunteers have been working tirelessly to repair damaged fencing around the Stanthorpe area. Photo: Blaze Aid Stanthorpe

“We’re expecting to pick up more in the coming months, I’ve registered a couple of farmers just in the last week,” he said.

Blaze Aid is a volunteer based organisation who offers assistance to rural families and individuals after natural disasters in helping to rebuild fences and other structures that were damaged or destroyed.

Mr Matthews said it can be quite confronting for volunteers especially in the early days of repair works.

“I think it really opens their eyes to the damage that can be caused (by bushfires),” he said.

The not-for-profit is always looking for new recruits no matter how much or little experience they have with fencing, Mr Matthews said.

Blaze Aid’s repair works are predicted to continue until at least October this year.

For anyone interested in volunteering head to the Blaze Aid website.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Mayor Melissa Hamilton (Photo: Michael Hudson)

Southern Downs mayor Melissa Hamilton said the long road to recovery had only just begun.

“It’s vital for disaster affected communities to know they haven’t been forgotten especially when the next event happens soon after and the media turns their attention elsewhere,” Ms Hamilton said.

“Knowing that an organisation such as Rural Aid has come out in full force to help the Dalveen community rebuild, is invaluable.”

Originally published as Granite Belt farmers still reeling six months after devastating bushfires