Natural disaster declared as residents return to their charred Central Coast homes

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Premier Chris Minns was warned that December would be a challenging start to the bushfire season given forecasts of hot winds and a warmer Pacific Ocean, and so it was as more than 76 fires burnt across the state – 20 of them uncontained – on Sunday morning.

A natural disaster was declared as the federal and state governments activated assistance to communities hardest hit on the Central Coast, Mid-North Coast and Upper Hunter regions, as well as in Dubbo in the state’s west.

Homes and garages gutted by the Koolewong bushfire remain smouldering on Sunday.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said there were total fire bans in place across nine districts on Saturday as a result of the high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity.

“At the peak of the fire we had over 250 firefighters, more than 50 fire trucks and nine aircraft attacking that fire and protecting communities as much as possible,” Curtin said.

While the temperature dropped overnight amid rain in parts of the state, strong winds are hampering firefighting efforts. “At the moment we’re seeing winds at about 40 kilometres an hour, with gusts higher,” said Curtin. “We still have a watch and act warning in place, so people need to be very careful.”

Damage by the Koolewong bushfire is evident along roads through the area.

About 50 firefighters remain in Koolewong, on the Central Coast, trying to bring the worst of this weekend’s fires under control.

Residents of Koolewong returned to inspect the damage to their homes on Sunday morning after a raging bushfire engulfed at least 12 houses.

“We’ve been able to speak to some families this morning who’ve lost everything,” Minns said. “Their houses have gone. Their belongings have gone. The Christmas presents that they bought in the run-up to the 25th have been, well, they’ve been destroyed.”

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said early on Sunday that as many as 18 houses have been lost in Koolewong.

The number of bushfires and unpredictable weather conditions across the state are impacting not only homes but also critical infrastructure, fencing, agricultural assets and National Parks.

Premier Chris Minns visited areas affected by the Koolewong bushfire this morning.

The disaster declaration by the state and federal governments allow for a suite of measures to help residents, businesses, primary producers, and councils.

“We know people have lost homes, livelihoods, and their sense of security. Whilst we continue to contain the fires that have impacted communities across NSW, our priority is also to support those people whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted,” said NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin. “These declarations make immediate assistance available so the difficult task of cleaning up and rebuilding can begin when it is safe to do so.”

A watch and act alert remains in place at Redhead, south of Newcastle, where southerly winds are fuelling a 40-hectare bushfire.

Among the homeowners who returned to check on their Koolewong homes on Sunday were Mike and Katie Greene, who were able to retrieve some of their belongings.

Mike and Katie Greene leave the fire-affected area after retrieving some belongings from their just-completed home which survived the Koolewong bushfire.

Katie Greene said she fled with her children before the fire reached their street.

The couple moved to the area five years ago, and said at least five neighbours had lost their homes, though theirs was saved. “It’s such a lovely local community, it’s just heartbreak,” she said.

The blaze moved fast, fanned by high winds. All Greene heard was a firetruck and, half an hour later, the flames were swallowing houses.

Residents return to their homes bordering the Koolewong bushfire.

“The bush has been super dry, and it was so hot and so windy today and the firefighters – amazing, amazing,” she said.

As the bushfire engulfed many of the 29 houses on Nimbin Road and 1100 firefighters battled to contain the blaze, a four-bedroom house at the end of the street was scheduled to go to auction.

Owner Blanche Stack said she was told by a neighbour that the street was on fire as she was travelling from Sydney to the auction.

Stack said she feels lucky the house remains standing, given neighbours up the street have lost their homes. Stack said her insurance on the property was cancelled a month ago.

Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said early on Sunday that as many as 18 houses have been lost in Koolewong.

Not withstanding the drama unfolding on the street, the auction still went ahead.

Real estate agent Simon Hayes said once the area had been evacuated, buyers were advised the auction would be held inhouse at the LJ Hooker East Gosford office.

Four bidders registered and three parties competed for the property taking the bids well past the $700,000 guide to $800,000 before it was passed in.

Hayes said there was a clause in the contract that if there were unforeseen circumstances that changed the property substantially, such as a fire, the sale would have been voided.

“It would have done them a favour really if it went up in flames,” Hayes said, referencing the dilapidated state of the house.

Stack said there were still plans to sell the property next year, but if it didn’t sell they would renovate it and keep it as an investment.

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