FIRE AND FLOOD MAKES FOR AN ANXIOUS SUMMER

This past summer has been relentless for people living in the Hawkesbury.

As I write this, the Gosper’s Mountain Fire – the largest fire recorded in the world from a single ignition point – is finally, officially, out. 

But instead of being able to breathe a sigh of relief, much of our community has had to contend with heavy rains resulting in flooding, made much worse due to our bushfire ravaged landscape.

With our bridges all of a sudden underwater and communities like Pitt Town Bottoms cut off, our emergency services had to switch from fire protection to dealing with flooded homes and properties.

I’d like to pay tribute to the hundreds of volunteers and professionals who have, for months now, been working around the clock to protect our local communities.

Whether on the ground in combat roles during the fires or providing support in other ways, or helping sandbag homes to protect against flood  –  thank you for all that you do.  Our SES, RFS and other agencies are heroes.

The sheer scale and enormity of the fires followed by floods have taken an emotional and physical toll on our emergency services and the communities they are protecting.

There is an urgent need to improve access to mental health services for residents - particularly young people affected by the fires whether directly or indirectly.

Right now there isn’t a dedicated service for our region to assist young people aged between 12 and 25 – who have never seen floods or fires of this scale in their lifetime and may be coping with the added stresses of beginning of a new school