$975,000 FOR CRITICAL FIRE PROTECTION UPGRADES FOR DUNBOGAN AND DIAMOND WATERS CARAVAN PARK

Federal funding of $975,364 will see critical water infrastructure upgraded and installed to protect the Diamond Waters Caravan Park and Dunbogan community from future bushfire threats.

Announcing the infrastructure projects on the Camden Haven, Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie MP said funding was being delivered under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program to upgrade 1.5km of water mains and support the installation of a fire hydrant system and associated infrastructure at Diamond Waters Caravan Park.

“On the night of Friday 8th November 2019, Diamond Waters Caravan Park, to the immediate north of Crowdy Bay National Park, was seriously threatened by bushfire. The park is home to more than 100 permanent residents, many of whom are elderly, and Dunbogan township has more than 1000 residents,” Dr Gillespie said.

“These water infrastructure upgrades are in a strategic location to help prevent the spread of any future fire throughout Dunbogan and Crowdy Bay National Park. 

“The new hydrant system, to be used by fire crews, will be positioned on an isthmus on the peninsula with water on each side. Securing this critical water supply with appropriate infrastructure means trucks will no longer have to leave the scene in an emergency to source alternative water.

“This is an important project delivering critical infrastructure to our community,” Dr Gillespie said.

Diamond Waters Caravan Park owner Cicely Sylow said a number of the park residents refused to evacuate during the 2019/20 fires, as they feared losing their homes.

“While we were expecting significant losses in the 2019 fires, there was an abatement of conditions at the eleventh hour and the fire was kept at bay. Residents in nearby John’s River and Harrington were not so fortunate, with one life lost, and many properties impacted,” Ms Sylow said.

“We’re delighted and relieved we’ll be able to upgrade the fire protection here; this is a community exposed to significant bushfire risk,” she said.

The project will be delivered by Ritchie Villages with the support of Port Macquarie Hastings Council.