BlazeAid volunteers coming to Narrogin to help fire-affected farmers rebuild after the devastating bushfires

BlazeAid volunteers are expected to converge on Narrogin at the end of the month to help farmers repair more than 200km of fencing damaged during the February bushfires. The Narrogin-Wickepin bushfire started on February 6 near the intersection of Williams-Kondinin Road and Armstrong Road in the Shire of Cuballing and destroyed about 18,173ha of farmland and bush. More than 240km of fence line was damaged in the blaze and needs to be repaired to enable farmers to stock proof, according to the Shire of Narrogin. The BlazeAid co-ordinators are coming over from the Eastern States to set up a volunteer camp in the southern Wheatbelt. Shire president Leigh Ballard said the priority was fixing boundary fences and stock-proofing properties. “If BlazeAid can come and help put those boundary fence up then at least the farmers can stock-proof again while they are trying to do everything else on the farm,” he said. “The faster we can get those boundary fences up, the faster the property is stock proof and then the farmers can look at the next steps for fixing their internal fencing. “Those who are preparing to crop will be lower on the property list of getting fences fixed compared to those who are going to run sheep and livestock.” The Narrogin-Wickepin and Shackleton-Corrigin bushfires caused significant damage to farm infrastructure, soils, pastures and livestock. An estimated 10,000 head of livestock were killed in the fires or euthanised in the days that followed. Mr Ballard said it had been a stressful time for the farming community who were having to run their farms while dealing with the aftermath of the bushfire. “For the people who were in the fire ground, there is a huge road ahead,” he said. “It’s pretty stressful and it’s going to be this way for another 12 months or more until they get all these fences up. “They are also dealing with insurance companies working out what was in some of those sheds that were lost. “It’s going to be awhile before we get back to any form of normality.” Another volunteer effort to help farmers repair internal fences is expected to take place after seeding in July. The Facey Group and Corrigin Farm Improvement Group are playing a key role co-ordinating support for farmers and landholders affected by the bushfires, through the provision of State Government support service information, supplies and donations. The two Wheatbelt grower groups are set to receive $50,000 each to support on-farm recovery and extension activities in areas affected by the Shackleton-Corrigin and Narrogin-Wickepin fires. The funding, provided through Wheatbelt Development Commission and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, will support the appointment of project officers to co-ordinate recovery efforts across affected Wheatbelt communities. The Shire is also seeking expressions of interest from the community to lend a helping hand with fencing, catering and cooking. The start date for the Narrogin volunteer camp will be announced on the BlazeAid website. Visit blazeaid.com.au/current-camps.