As Westerly winds continued to drive the Bees Nest bushfire eastward down the escarpment on Sunday afternoon, Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, visited Tyringham rural fire centre to inspect the scene.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing was met and briefed by the local RFS officers on the situation, who particularly mentioned their difficulties obtaining water from drought stricken farmers.
RELATED READING
"If we have problems we will get onto you, because we don't want to upset our farmers," one volunteer told Ms Pavey.
"We are already taking water from a dam where the farmer just gets irate.
"He only just has enough for [his] cattle, that are drinking green water because that is all he have left."
Ms Pavey said she was there to learn, to hear, to represent, and make sure people were supported.
"If there is anything I need to tell the Premier, or the Minister for Emergency Services, this is a very remote area, orders come from Glen Innes and that is a long way, away," she said.
Ms Pavey learnt about the RFS's two major issues.
Firstly, communication difficulties with the operation centre in Glen Innes were being experienced because of the geography of hills and gullies and the dense smoke covering the area.
Secondly, Ms Pavey was told of a great need for more manpower and water trucks.
"I am the Minister for Water and I know how dry it is," she said.
"The Nymboida river is still running and there is other water flowing in some systems, but this happening here, is our worst nightmare."
