Council bushfire measures continue

A Guyra Information Hub has reopened this morning at the Guyra showgrounds hall to assist residents during the bushfire emergency.

The showgrounds are continuing to operate as a Bushfire Neighbourhood Safer Place for residents who choose to relocate. Fires continue to burn at Wandsworth and Llangothlin and an Extreme fire danger rating is in place for the New England region today.

All residents who attended the hub yesterday had been found overnight accommodation or returned to their homes.

Advice issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service remains current:  “If your plan is to leave, or you and your property are not prepared, your safest option is to leave.”

A meeting place has also reopened at Armidale’s Kent House today, on Faulkner Street, as an option for residents who self-relocate from Guyra.

Residents can take their pets to the Guyra Information Hub and Kent House.

In addition, Council Rangers are working in cooperation with the RSPCA and are assisting pet owners by taking animals to the Armidale and Guyra companion animal shelters during the bushfire emergency. There are around 30 cats and dogs currently at the facilities as a result of the emergency.

Local Lands Services NSW is also assisting with larger animals.

Large stock taken to the Guyra showgrounds are the responsibility of their owners. 

Customer services continue to be available at the front counters of Council’s Guyra office and enquiries can be directed to 1300 136833.

However, some Council services might not be available today. Outdoor crews have been redeployed to assist with fire control measures, including traffic control and keeping roads accessible to emergency vehicles.

The Guyra pool is offering free entry again today and the Guyra library is also open.

Guyra Preschool & Long Day Care Centre remains closed until further notice.

A free community laundry, established to assist rural residents during the ongoing drought, is available at the Guyra showgrounds for people impacted by the fires.

Motorists travelling on Waterfall Way between Armidale and Coffs Harbour, and other roads in fire affected areas, are advised to monitor the Live Traffic NSW website and drive to the conditions.

Residents and other people in the area are also strongly urged to monitor the NSW Rural Fire Service website, the Fires Near Me app and listen to local ABC radio.

Published on 13 Nov 2019