Eurobodalla Emergency Operations Centre bushfire update
Monday 6 January, 6.30pm
Fires
NSW RFS advise: All fires impacting Eurobodalla are at advice level. There are no concerns for properties at this time. The highest fire rating over the next seven days is high fire danger on Friday. In that window of opportunity, NSW Rural Fire Service will do what they can to contain the fires.
Returning home
Emergency services advise that Eurobodalla residents may return to their homes, except for those living in the Deua, Pollwombra and Larry’s Mountain Road areas west of Moruya, where NSW RFS continues to monitor fire activity in that area. NSW Police are maintaining patrols to properties in fire-impacted areas.
Travel
For travel within Eurobodalla:
· Princes Highway between Moruya and Mogo is open.
· Broulee Road is closed
· Araluen Road is closed
· Avoid travelling west of the Princes Highway into areas of burnt ground or approaching fires, including areas such as Nerrigundah and Belowra.
The Princes Highway is open between Merimbula and Sydney. Continue to monitor Live Traffic. Drive cautiously, do not cross road blocks and obey traffic control.
Water
IMPORTANT: From this morning, residents in Moruya and south to Tilba should boil their drinking water until further notice. Following the weekend’s firefighting activities, reservoirs in the south of the shire are being filled this morning with water straight from the river without the usual treatment process.
All Eurobodalla residents should be conservative with water use until further notice. There is no need to water down your house or yard unless fire or embers are visible.
EDITORS NOTE: YOU MUST BOIL WATER FOR MORE THAN 1 MINUTE
Rubbish collection
Council is aware that rubbish is piling up. Residents should put all three bins out and wait for the kerbside collection. It started today and won’t necessarily follow the usual schedule for now – trucks will collect as much as they can, when they can. Good progress is being made on red-lid bins. Please continue your good bin habits – red for waste, yellow for recycling, green for green waste. More trucks will arrive to help as soon as possible.
Tips: Surf Beach tip is closed due to fire impacts, Moruya Transfer Station is open, and Brou tip opens tomorrow Tuesday 7 January.
Power
Power has been restored to Eurobodalla, apart from fire-impacted areas. Huge thanks to Essential Energy, who pulled out all stops as part of the emergency response team to restore power to the community.
Food and fuel
Food and fuel trucks are coming into Eurobodalla under escort where necessary through fire affected areas.
Asbestos awareness
Important: Do not sift through fire-damaged material until it has been inspected and verified to be asbestos-free. Licensed contractors from NSW Public Works Authority are progressively working through fire-affected areas, starting Monday 6 January.
Evacuation centres
To those at evacuation centres, we thank you for your patience and goodwill in trying circumstances. The centres will remain open and providing support for as long as required. Please talk to centre staff about disaster welfare assistance. We understand online access to information about support services is limited, and we’ll be printing information and distributing to evacuation centres.
Community updates
Eurobodalla Emergency Operations Centre will continue to provide 10am and 6pm updates for the community. Other announcements are made as required via local media and social media.
Warren Sharpe, OAM
Local Emergency Management Officer
Emergency Operations Centre, Eurobodalla
Monday 6 January 2020, 6.30pm
