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Update on the Tasmanian fires from Huon Valley Council

By intouch * posted 07-03-2019 11:55

  

South of Hobart, Huon Valley has been at the centre of fires that have been burning in Tasmania since January, destroying homes and businesses. 


Screen_Shot_2019-03-07_at_11_43_05_am.pngHuon Valley Council General Manager Emilio Reale tells intouch that local government infrastructure has only suffered minor impacts and that the focus is now on the community's recovery. 

"We have had minor impact with burnt/melted guide posts, loss of some signs and damage to some road shoulders – however, only a small number of roads were affected," he says.

"Three significant businesses have been shut down: Tahune Air walk (approximately 100,000 visitors per year), the Ta Ann veneer plant (42 staff and 30 contractors) and the South Wood Mill (30 staff and indirect contractors, staff are still being paid). 

"A number of council staff were affected and even evacuated, however they still came to work to assist the community. Many of them were on standby to drive equipment to assist in creating fire breaks when the calls came in.

"There are many debriefs currently taking place and a report will be made available when these are completed. The learnings will be shared with all emergency services organisations and local governments." 

Reale says there are still significant fires still burning, with blazes at Castle Forbes Bay, Geeveston, Waterloo, Surges Bay, Glendevie, Lonnavale, Judbury, Glen Huon, Huonville, Franklin and surrounding areas sitting on 'advice' level. 

He praised the support the council has received. 

"We would like to pass on our thanks to all councils who provided assistance during the peak of the emergency.  Many came forward with their experience staff and emergency management coordinators; it was a big team effort," Reale says. 

The Huon Valley has a long history of bushfires. The first recorded major fire that impacted the area was in 1897; six people lost their lives and dozens of homes were destroyed.

The most devastating fire was on 7 February 1967, when fires swept through the south and other parts of Tasmania claiming 62 lives and destroying more than 1300 homes and 128 major structures.
 
Read our article on the importance of personal resilience during natural disasters here. 
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