Fires
Weather conditions are benign today and fire activity has eased. Both Badja and Clyde Mountain fires have been downgraded to Watch and Act. However, there is still active fire in the landscape and people should continue to monitor conditions. Firefighters continue working to slow the spread of the fire and establish containment lines.
It is not yet safe to return to the Dignams Creek or Potato Point areas.
As you move around the shire, take great care. There are trees burning at their base and powerlines down. Do not cross roadblocks. Please show respect for residents in burnt areas and do not enter.
Evacuation centres
An evacuation centre opened this morning at Narooma Leisure Centre. Disaster Welfare staff are on hand to provide support for those fire-impacted yesterday.
Moruya evacuation centre re-opened yesterday for residents needing to evacuate and remains open today, Friday 24 January.
· Moruya evacuation centre: Moruya Basketball stadium, in the showgrounds, Albert Street, Moruya
· Narooma evacuation centre: Narooma Leisure Centre, Bluewater Drive, Narooma
Roads
The Princes Highway is now open to the south after closing in two sections yesterday – Potato Point to Tuross Head and Cobargo to Bermagui Road - due to fire impacts. RMS crews have been working since 6.30am to clear the highway and make it safe.
Local roads:
· Araluen Road remains closed, and as of 10pm last night no access past the Council and Essential Energy depots
· Larrys Mountain Road is closed at the highway
· River Road, Moruya is closed at Hawdon Street
· Old Princes Highway, Narooma is closed at Wonga Road
· Yarragee Road, Moruya is closed due to fire impact. Access for residents and emergency services only.
· Potato Point Road is closed at the highway.
Eurobodalla Council crews are working to clear and re-open these local roads. Please obey any roadblocks – they are in place for your safety. Take extra care on the roads at this time.
Other closures
Moruya waste transfer station is closed until further notice following yesterday’s fire damage. Council crews have been working since early morning to make the facility safe and re-open as soon as possible.
Power
Essential Energy advise that 6,494 Eurobodalla customers remain without power following yesterday’s fire impacts - Potato Point, parts of Bodalla, Rosedale, Mossy Point, Broulee, Tomakin, Malua Bay, Moruya, Mogendoura, and Wallaga Lake. Essential Energy crews are working to return power to customers where RFS has deemed it safe.
Water
Eurobodalla’s water supply is safe to drink.
For those concerned about their tank water, ash is unlikely to be a health risk but may affect the appearance and taste of water. Residents concerned about this should use an alternative safe water supply, such as bottled water, for drinking, preparing food, cleaning teeth or watering animals.
Animal welfare
South East Local Lands Service remind residents they are on the ground ready to provide feed and other animal welfare support following yesterday’s fires. Call 1800 814 647.
Eurobodalla Recovery Centre and outreach today in Mogo and Malua Bay
Eurobodalla’s Recovery Centre in Batemans Bay will get mobile today, visiting the communities of Mogo and Malua Bay to talk to fire-impacted residents about their needs.
Professional staff who understand the disaster will be on hand to provide support and a welcoming atmosphere of a community barbeque. Visiting agencies include Disaster Welfare, NSW Health, Housing, Red Cross, chaplains, Eurobodalla Council and more.
Mogo is already underway:
Friday 24 January, 10am to 1pm
Boomerang Meeting Place, 2 Church Street, Mogo
For the Malua Bay community:
Friday 24 January, 3.30pm-6pm
Batemans Bay Surf Life Saving Club, 560 George Bass Dr, Malua Bay
The mobile team will visit Bodalla and Narooma next week - Bodalla Hall on Wednesday 29 January, 6pm-8pm and Club Narooma on Thursday 30 January, 6pm-8pm. More details to come.
The Recovery Centre at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club is open every day, including over the long weekend, to support people impacted by the fires. No appointment is necessary. If you need transport to get to the centre, please call Council’s Community Transport on 4474 1040.
Customers impacted by bushfires can also now call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au for assistance.
Community updates
Eurobodalla’s Emergency Operations Centre will provide community updates as required, distributed to media, social media, community associations and the evacuation centre. Stay updated with local radio, Fires Near Me, Live Traffic. If your life is in danger call Triple Zero (000).
Chief Inspector Greg Flood
Local Emergency Operations Controller
Emergency Operations Centre, Eurobodalla
24 January 2020, 10.30am
