Central Highlanders face choice of toughing it out or taking off

Friends and strangers sat outside the Castle Hotel in Bothwell anxiously awaiting news about the uncontrollable and fast-moving Great Pine Tier bushfire.

LIFELONG friends and strangers sat outside the Castle Hotel in Bothwell anxiously awaiting news about the uncontrollable and fast-moving Great Pine Tier bushfire.

As strong winds continued to send a large amount of ash and smoke across the Central Plateau, one man remarked “we’re screwed, I’ve never seen anything like this before”.

Some sat clinging to their phones, desperate for a message saying their area was out of danger.

Others drank beers and sang along to AC/DC in a bid to lift the mood after it was announced a second structure had been destroyed.

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Haydn Booth, of Miena, was lucky enough to nab one of the hotel’s three rooms after arriving at the Bothwell evacuation centre on Monday.

“I’ve lived at Miena for about 14 years. I’ve got a bus out the back of the Great Lake store,” he said.

“The fireys came to my bus and issued me an evacuation plan on Sunday. I grabbed everything and packed it up.

“I could see lots of smoke, lots of red and lots of bush around me. There’s nothing personal left on the bus and everything else is replaceable.”

Miena evacuee Haydn Booth at The Castle Hotel Picture: PATRICK GEE

Bothwell evacuation centre co-ordinator Katrina Brazendale yesterday continued organising accommodation, food and clothes for those taking refuge in the town while staff from crisis support organisation Rural Alive and Well were packing food hampers and transporting supplies to Miena.

Cindy Branch also made the call to evacuate Miena on Monday to stay with her daughter.

She said she evacuated because she felt her life was more valuable than her job or home.

“The smoke was the worst, when I got down here my eyes were red,” she said.

“I’ve got photos and some personal stuff in the car but that’s it. The thought of going home to nothing is a scary feeling but if it happens it happens, there’s no stopping it.”

Rebecca Branch, of Bothwell, chose to stay and defend her home. Picture: PATRICK GEE

A police roadblock expanded considerably towards Bothwell before midday after a spot fire broke out near the junction of Highland Lakes Rd and Poatina Rd, south of Miena.

On the fringes of town, farmers and landowners withstood high temperatures to move livestock, check irrigation systems and cut fire breaks.

Mother-of-four Rebecca Branch could be seen hosing down a fenced patch of green garden, which was surrounded by acres of dry grass.

“The hubby and I have decided if it does reach us we’re going to stay but we’ll send the kids away,” she said.

“We’re trying not to panic. It will be scary but I don’t want to lose my stuff.”

When asked about how much the land meant to the workers in the region, Ms Branch replied “everything”.

A police roadblock at Waddamana Road. Picture: PATRICK GEE

State Opposition Leader Rebecca White visited Bothwell with Lyons MP Jen Butler and member for Derwent Craig Farrell to donate a $500 cheque to the evacuation centre.

“We know it’s not everything but hopefully we’ll make a little bit of difference and support people particularly today and over the next couple of days,” Ms White said.

Ms White said she had “every faith” in Tasmanians’ ability to come together and support one another.