Cessnock City Council, in partnership with Singleton Council, is proud to announce the establishment of a BlazeAid temporary camp in Millfield. The camp is being set up as a response to the July 2022 Flood disaster, and will provide much needed labour support to local landholders in areas of Cessnock & Singleton, who have been unable to re-build fences that were damaged during the floods. Many of these landholders have been significantly impacted by the floods, including being isolated for up to 3-4 weeks, creek bank erosion, and damage to other structures on their property. The camp will be run by experienced BlazeAid coordinators and volunteers and will provide physical helping hands to support those in need.
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organization that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, their volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
BlazeAid, in collaboration with Cessnock and Singleton Councils, will be setting up a temporary camp at Millfield Cricket Ground. The camp will be funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (formerly Resilience NSW) and will be able to accommodate up to 20 volunteers. The camp will open from Monday, 13th February 2023, with an official launch on Friday 17th February.
Cessnock City Council Mayor, Jay Suvaal is excited to welcome the group to the area.
"Our residents in Cessnock LGA and particularly the Wollombi Valley have suffered significantly following the floods in both March and July last year. Many structures were inundated, residents isolated, possessions washed away and fences knocked down. We are very grateful to the volunteers of BlazeAid and the NSW Reconstruction Authority for working with us to support our community during their time of need"
Mayor Jay Suvaal added, "We would like to invite local Millfield residents to join us for the official opening of the BlazeAid Camp on Friday 17th February at 6pm, which will be a BBQ provided and cooked by Cessnock Men's Shed with the camp coordinators, volunteers and landholders from the Wollombi Valley who will be receiving their support over the coming months. This BBQ will provide an opportunity for residents of Millfield to meet the BlazeAid volunteers and understand more about the organization and its role in supporting the flood-impacted community," concluded Mayor Jay Suvaal.
The establishment of the BlazeAid temporary camp in Millfield is a testament to the strong partnership between Cessnock and Singleton Councils, the NSW Reconstruction Authority, and BlazeAid. This camp will provide much-needed support to the flood-impacted communities and will help to rebuild and restore the affected areas.
Photo: Melissa Boucher, Community Recovery Officer - Cessnock City Council; Judy Robbins, Camp Coordinator; Kylie Wallace, Emergency Management and Engagement Officer - Singleton Council; Susie, Dot, John, Dave and Jeff - BlazeAid Volunteers.
