NSW Labor Opposition Leader Jodi McKay visited Drake last week to thank Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighters and all other emergency service personnel who spent the past seven weeks fighting to contain the Long Gully Road bushfire.
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Joined by NSW Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Trish Doyle and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Ms McKay said she wanted to personally thank volunteers for displaying the true Aussie spirit of helping mates during natural disasters.
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"It has been a harrowing early bushfire season for hundreds of residents in the Tenterfield and Richmond Valley shires and the Clarence Valley Local Government Area," Ms McKay said.
"The Long Gully Road fire claimed two lives, destroyed 44 homes, damaged another 22, and burnt more than 74 thousand hectares of bush and farmland.
"With this major fire declared out on Sunday (October 27), it's timely that we are coming to the village of Drake to recognise the fantastic work of many who have been involved in the disaster response and recovery effort."
Labor Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Trish Doyle said she and colleagues know that the recovery of a regional community that has faced a bushfire disaster doesn't just happen overnight.
"It takes months and years as families rebuild their homes and restore their lives. The resilience and strength of tight-knit communities must be supported by our state and federal governments with financial and in-kind assistance."
Labor Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin welcomed the party leaders' visit, saying that Ms McKay and Ms Doyle had been in contact with her since the outbreak of the fires in early September, expressing their concern for local communities and seeking constant updates.
"They have supported my call for a Bushfire Community Recovery Fund and are very keen to hear from senior Rural Fire Service officers, Tenterfield Shire Council and community members about their practical needs," Ms Saffin said.
A beefed-up recovery effort would be overseen by a designated and publicly known Recovery Leader who would have the chain of command across all government agencies.
It was Ms McKay's second visit to the Lismore Electorate since becoming NSW Labor leader in June.