It's been a long and devastating fire season already in Eurobodalla and RFS predict it's not ending soon. The Emergency Operations Centre has developed this fact sheet to help residents be better prepared before, during and after bad fire days. Read it here https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/about/emergency-information/getting-and-staying-prepared-for-summers-bushfires

Find the Eurobodalla Emergency Centre updates on Council's website and on Facebook

Council's business support team is encouraging Eurobodalla businesses to complete the NSW Small Business Commissioner's survey about bushfire impacts on small business. This information will help determine the level of government recovery support provided, so be sure to have your say at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bushfireSBsurvey2020

The NSW Business Connect Bus will be in the shire next week, offering assistance to businesses directly or indirectly affected by bushfires.

Thursday 6 February - Batemans Bay

Friday 7 February, 9.30am to 12.30pm - Moruya

Friday 7 February, 1.30 to 4pm - Mogo.

Business Connect advisors are now available at Eurobodalla's Recovery Centre, located at the Soldiers Club, 6 Beach Road, Batemans Bay, 9am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm weekends. You can also find advice online with NSW Government's bushfire customer care for businesses https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service

Eurobodalla Recovery Centre and outreach

Eurobodalla Recovery Centre and outreach tonight in the Bodalla Hall and tomorrow at the Narooma Golf Club is an opportunity to give special attention to rural landowners west of the highway who've lost so much. Those land holders have been invited to come to town for a light supper, catch up with their community, and hear about the funding and support on offer.

Wednesday 29 January 6pm-8pm, Bodalla Hall

Thursday 30 January 6pm-8pm, VENUE CHANGE, now at Narooma Golf Club

There'll be plenty of time for one-on-one discussions with disaster agency staff including:

The Eurobodalla Recovery Centre at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club is open every day to support people impacted by the fires. No appointment is necessary. If you need transport to get to the centre, please call Council's Community Transport on 4474 1040.

Customers impacted by bushfires can also now call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au for assistance.

Sports stars - shire bound

Last week the South Sydney Rabbitohs were at Mackay Park, kicking around the footy with the Bay Tigers, giving younger players some exposure to how some of the best in the game handle the ball.

This week it was the Dragons, with more than 70 players and staff from St George hosting a family day at Hanging Rock yesterday, before dispersing across the shire to share the love, and spend some dollars at eateries and with accommodation providers across the shire.

Also visiting this week, Olympians James Magnusson, Jarrod Poort and Josh Beaver. The swimmers hosted a free clinic at the Moruya Pool with around 70 kids taking advantage of the know-how and enthusiasm on offer, and twice 100-metre-freestyle champion James saying he was also keeping a look out for future swimming champions.

This Saturday, Mackay Park will go a little bit State of Origin, when the Blues visit to run a clinic for 5 to 14-year-olds. Coach Brad Fittler says it's their way to show those affected by bushfires the players are thinking of them, "These are the people who cheer for them and these are the people they play for". Register here.

Level 4 water restrictions are in effect across Eurobodalla, with the water storage at Deep Creek Dam now below 50 percent capacity.

Under level 4 water restrictions all outdoor use is banned, except

Watering gardens with watering cans or buckets filled directly from the tap, and

Washing and rinsing private vehicles on grass with buckets filled directly from the tap, between 6-8am and 6-8pm.

Level 4 water restrictions ensure we have enough potable water until we get significant rainfall. Our community needs to pull together and save water now so we don't have to proceed to much stricter level 5 restrictions in the future. Don't waste valuable water washing down houses and decks - there will be ash from the fires for some time. That water is needed for drinking, bathing and protecting lives and properties.

Variations apply for specific businesses. Emergency services continue to be exempt from all restrictions. Find out what you can and cannot do at:

Water restrictions levels 1-5 for residents and visitors (143KB)

Water restrictions levels 1-5 for commercial, industrial and public services (163KB)

Farm fencing

Teams from the Australian Defence Force are helping Eurobodalla's farmers, clearing downed trees in the heavily impacted areas of Belowra, Cadgee, Nerrigundah, Eurobodalla and Deua Valley. Essential Energy have also come on board, allowing the unburnt sections of fallen energy poles to be reused as fence posts.

For assistance with clearing or fencing on rural properties, farmers should contact Council on 4474 1000 or council@esc.nsw.gov.au

Clearing of burnt farm buildings and demolition waste is being coordinated by the NSW Government - register at Service NSW.

More information

www.esc.nsw.gov.au/recovery

Fires

Hot and windy conditions are predicted for this Friday and Saturday and Rural Fire Service expect increased fire activity in some areas of the Eurobodalla.

Residents living in areas west of the highway in Eurobodalla's south - from Moruya to Tilba Tilba - will be door-knocked today to advise they need to monitor conditions and implement their fire plan. As always, the advice is if you aren't mentally and physically prepared to defend your property, leaving early is the best option.

Residents living east of the highway should stay alert for tomorrow's updated forecast.

The smoke around Eurobodalla is the result of solid backburning efforts conducted by the Rural Fire Service in the last few days. More than 200 extra firefighting personnel are in the region to support these backburning activities. Those personnel will changeover today with new faces coming in to bolster firefighting efforts for Friday and Saturday. They are staying at Narooma in a camp set up by the Australian Defence Force, SES and RFS on Bill Smyth Oval.

Evacuation centres

Evacuation centres remain open at Narooma Leisure Centre and Moruya Showground, between 8am and 6pm. NSW Disaster Welfare staff are ready to extend centre hours in the coming days as required.

Moruya evacuation centre: Moruya Basketball stadium, in the showgrounds, Albert Street, Moruya.

Narooma evacuation centre: Narooma Leisure Centre, Bluewater Drive, Narooma

Roads

Please obey roadblocks - they are in place for your safety. Restrict driving west of the highway to essential trips only.

Other closures

Moruya waste transfer station was impacted by fire last Saturday and remains closed. Brou tip has fire activity around it and remains closed. Both facilities will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.

Surf Beach tip is open. Eurobodalla Council's website has opening hours.

Power

Essential Energy advise 683 Eurobodalla customers are without power in the areas of Deep Creek, Mogendoura, Bodalla, Mogo, Nerrigundah, Rosedale, Nelligen, and around Moruya at Hawdons Road, Araluen Road and Yarragee Road. Crews continue their work to restore the damaged network and return power to residents. Customers can call 132080 for enquiries.

Animal welfare

South East Local Lands Service field crews are providing animal welfare support, including feed and water, following last Thursday's fires.

They are available to provide advice to rural land owners about animal welfare for the predicted fire activity this Friday and Saturday. Call 1800 814 647.

Recovery info

Eurobodalla Recovery Centre and outreach tonight in Bodalla, tomorrow in Narooma - NOTE VENUE CHANGE

Eurobodalla's Recovery Centre goes mobile this week, visiting Bodalla and Narooma to give special attention to rural landowners west of the highway who've lost so much. Those land holders are invited to come to town for a light supper, catch up with their community, and hear about the funding and support on offer.

Wednesday 29 January 6pm-8pm, Bodalla Hall

Thursday 30 January 6pm-8pm, VENUE CHANGE, now at Narooma Golf Club

There'll be plenty of time for one-on-one discussions with agency reps including:

The Eurobodalla Recovery Centre at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club is open every day to support people impacted by the fires. No appointment is necessary. If you need transport to get to the centre, please call Council's Community Transport on 4474 1040.

Customers impacted by bushfires can also now call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au for assistance.

Community updates

Eurobodalla's Emergency Operations Centre will provide community updates as required, distributed to media, social media, community associations and the evacuation centre. Stay updated with local radio, Fires Near Me, Live Traffic. If your life is in danger call Triple Zero (000).

Eurobodalla Council advises that Brou tip is closed until further notice due to bushfires. The tip is located east of the highway between Bodalla and Narooma.

With Moruya waste transfer station also closed due to fire damage as of Thursday, that leaves Surf Beach tip open in Eurobodalla.

Council is making every effort to reopen both facilities as quickly and safely as possible.

Surf Beach Waste Management Facility

Where: Off George Bass Drive at the roundabout at the Surf Beach bypass.

Phone: 4471 2462

Operating hours:

Due to bushfire impact, there is no eftpos available - cash or existing account customers only.

Evacuation centres - change of hours

Eurobodalla's two evacuation centres in Moruya and Narooma will close at 6pm tonight and reopen tomorrow at 8am. From tomorrow, hours will be 8am-6pm daily until further notice. Fire impacted residents requiring overnight accommodation have been assisted with temporary accommodation.

-Moruya evacuation centre: Moruya Basketball stadium, in the showgrounds, Albert Street, Moruya

-Narooma evacuation centre: Narooma Leisure Centre, Bluewater Drive, Narooma

Eurobodalla Recovery Centre open this long weekend, and outreach to Bodalla and Narooma next week

Eurobodalla's Recovery Centre in Batemans Bay is open all long weekend, 10am to 4pm.

Professional staff from a range of agencies who understand the disaster are on hand to provide support. No appointment is necessary. Customers impacted by bushfires can also now call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au for assistance.

The mobile recovery team will visit Bodalla and Narooma next week - Bodalla Hall on Wednesday 29 January, 6pm-8pm and Club Narooma on Thursday 30 January, 6pm-8pm. A light supper will be served at both to bring people together.

Local road closures (no change from last night)

Araluen Road remains closed, and as of 10pm last night no access past the Council and Essential Energy depots

Larrys Mountain Road is closed at the highway

River Road, Moruya is closed at Hawdon Street

Old Princes Highway, Narooma is closed at Wonga Road

Wagonga Scenic Drive, Narooma west, is closed

Potato Point Road is closed at the highway.

Please obey any roadblocks - they are in place for your safety.

Other closures

Moruya waste transfer station is closed until further notice following yesterday's fire damage.

Power

Essential Energy report they have more then 400 team members working across the South East of NSW today, continuing with repairs and assessing new damage to the network following the fire events over the past two days.

In Eurobodalla yesterday Essential Energy was successful in restoring power to more than 4,500 customers who lost supply on Thursday due to the Clyde Mountain Fire. 1,700 customers remain without power. This includes 500 customers who have been without power since the New Years Eve fire. These people have been contacted to discuss alternative power arrangements.

Teams are located at Potato Point and Bodalla where repairs are being made to return power. Some areas are unable to be accessed due to active fires, however Essential Energy continues to work with the RFS to understand where and when it is safe to enter and assess damage. Dedicated crews also continuing to make repairs along the network where previous fires caused extensive damage.

Eurobodalla Emergency Operations Update at 6.20pm, Friday, 24 January 2020

Fires

Fire activity has eased across the fireground in today's more favourable conditions. Both Badja and Clyde Mountain fires remain at Advice. However, there is still active fire in the landscape and people should continue to monitor conditions. Firefighters continue working to slow the spread of the fire and establish containment lines.

RFS report there is still significant fire activity in the Dignams Creeks area, and it is not safe to return there. It is also not safe to return to Potato Point. Some fire activity remains in Tilba and Mystery Bay, and the Wagonga Scenic Drive area west of Narooma.

As you move around the shire, take great care. There are trees burning at their base and powerlines down. Do not cross roadblocks. Please show respect for residents in burnt areas and do not enter. We're going to be really blunt - please stop the stickybeaking. It's disrespectful to residents and potentially dangerous to you.

Evacuation centres

Evacuation centres in Narooma and Moruya will stay open to provide support for those fire-impacted yesterday. Disaster Welfare staff are on hand to assist with temporary accommodation and other supports.

Moruya evacuation centre: Moruya Basketball stadium, in the showgrounds, Albert Street, Moruya

Narooma evacuation centre: Narooma Leisure Centre, Bluewater Drive, Narooma

Local road closures

Araluen Road remains closed, and as of 10pm last night no access past the Council and Essential Energy depots

Larrys Mountain Road is closed at the highway

River Road, Moruya is closed at Hawdon Street

Old Princes Highway, Narooma is closed at Wonga Road

Wagonga Scenic Drive, Narooma west, is closed

Potato Point Road is closed at the highway.

Eurobodalla Council crews are working to clear and re-open these local roads. Please obey any roadblocks - they are in place for your safety.

Other closures

Moruya waste transfer station is closed until further notice following yesterday's fire damage.

Power

Essential Energy advise that 5,774 Eurobodalla customers remain without power following yesterday's fire impacts. Crews are currently working to restore power to villages from Broulee to Surf Beach, including southern parts of Mogo. Potato Point remains inaccessible due to ongoing fire activity. Due to network damage, parts of the Tilba region experienced an interruption this afternoon and others remain without power. Customers can call 132080 for specific enquiries. Essential Energy teams are also assisting RFS to remove fallen powerlines so roads can be safely opened to the public.

Water

Eurobodalla's water supply is safe to drink.

For those concerned about their tank water, ash is unlikely to be a health risk but may affect the appearance and taste of water. Residents concerned about this should use an alternative safe water supply, such as bottled water, for drinking, preparing food, cleaning teeth or watering animals.

Animal welfare

South East Local Lands Service remind residents they are on the ground ready to provide feed and other animal welfare support following yesterday's fires. Call 1800 814 647.

Eurobodalla Recovery Centre and outreach to Bodalla and Narooma next week

Eurobodalla's Recovery Centre in Batemans Bay is open all long weekend, 10am to 4pm Saturday, Sunday and public holiday Monday.

Professional staff from a range of agencies who understand the disaster are on hand to provide support. No appointment is necessary. Customers impacted by bushfires can also now call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au for assistance.

The mobile recovery team will visit Bodalla and Narooma next week - Bodalla Hall on Wednesday 29 January, 6pm-8pm and Club Narooma on Thursday 30 January, 6pm-8pm. Light supper will be served at both to bring those impacted together.

Community updates

Eurobodalla's Emergency Operations Centre will provide community updates as required, distributed to media, social media, community associations and the evacuation centre. Stay updated with local radio, Fires Near Me, Live Traffic. If your life is in danger call Triple Zero (000).