BlazeAid sets up camp at Texas Showgrounds, ready to help rebuild after floods

Goondiwindi Regional Council has welcomed volunteers from disaster recovery organisation BlazeAid, who will be lending their efforts to help the Texas community rebuild after the recent floods.

Volunteers set up camp at the Texas Showgrounds yesterday and are already out speaking with flood-affected farmers about how they can be of assistance. Impacted landholders can also head down to the Showgrounds to speak to the volunteers in person and register for assistance through BlazeAid, or register online at: www.blazeaid.com.au

Councillors Lachlan Brennan, Susie Kelly, Phil O’Shea and Jason Watts met with the volunteers yesterday, who are ready to lend a hand with anything from clearing debris to infrastructure repairs and fencing, after the Dumaresq River peaked at 8.43 metres late last month.

John Hockings is the local BlazeAid co-ordinator for Texas. He said the role of the team would be as much about social support as about rebuilding fences.

“We want people to know they aren’t on their own,” Mr Hockings said. “We’re here as an extra pair of hands and to help with the clean-up, but we’re also a shoulder to lean on as we get through this recovery together.

“We’ll be working alongside rural families to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed - but equally importantly, our volunteers also help to lift the spirits of people who are facing fresh devastation after years of drought.”

Council understands that BlazeAid will operate in Texas for the next few months. Affected landholders are welcome to contact Mr Hockings directly with any questions about BlazeAid assistance on either 0474 749 831 or jnhockings@gmail.com.

Cr Susie Kelly, who holds Council’s Portfolio for Rural Services, said she was delighted to have the BlazeAid volunteers in town and welcomed them into the Texas community for the duration of their stay.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank every single BlazeAid volunteer who will be supporting our community, and we look forward to working together in the coming months,” Cr Kelly said. “We’re extremely grateful that these volunteers will not only be supporting local farmers with their recovery over the next few months – but they’ll also be spending locally and supporting the wider Texas community while they’re in town,” she said.

“Councillors Brennan, O’Shea and Watts joined me in Texas yesterday to meet with the Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner to inspect the widespread agricultural damage. I can confirm that Council will continue to advocate for additional measures and funding to help our residents get back on their feet. It will also continue to pursue residents’ concerns about reliable warnings and access to flood data, to better prepare for future flooding events.

“In the meantime, Council staff are already on the ground working to repair local roads as part of the recovery effort, to ensure our communities can get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

BlazeAid accepts volunteers from across the nation and also encourages local residents to lend a hand if they can. For more information about how to register to support the Texas camp, visit: www.blazeaid.com.au