October 26, 2023
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has called on the Federal and State governments to activate Disaster Recovery Funding for residents in the Cooyar area affected by the recent bushfires.
Fires in the East Cooyar and Wutul areas on October 16 sparked a “Leave Immediately” warning from the QFES to local residents.
Cooyar residents were also told to “Prepare To Leave”.
A number of sheds and equipment were destroyed in the large blaze.
Mrs Frecklington said she had written to both the Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt and Deputy Premier Steven Miles to highlight the situation, and had also raised it in State Parliament.
“I am asking for the Cooyar area affected by the bushfires to be Disaster Activated so those landholders affected can receive some support,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The bushfires have destroyed approximately 2000 acres across many rural properties.
“Landowners have lost fences, cattle yards, sheds, tanks, timber, equipment, communication infrastructure and, of course, whatever feed was still available for livestock in the paddock.
“I spoke with Rural firie Wayne Schefe not long after the event and he said that gusts of wind up to 73km/h took the fire very quickly.
“It was only through the rural firies’ skill and determination that it was stopped before entering dense bushland, and before it could get to several homes.
“The Cooyar community needs and deserves support and a disaster activation is one way to acknowledge and provide assistance for property owners who have lost so much.”
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