Tathra decimated by bushfire which claimed 69 homes in a matter of minutes starts slow rebuild

Residents are slowly rebuilding the seaside town that was left devastated after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through dozens of homes and businesses.

Up to 69 properties in Tathra, east of Bega on the far south coast of New South Wales, were destroyed in 90 minutes by the 1000-hectare fire on March 18.

Four months on from the blaze that left the 1700 residents in shock and financial ruin, families are beginning to rebuild the coastal town.

The firestorm ravaged the town, leaving 69 homes destroyed and affecting 70 caravans and cabins.

Up to 69 properties in Tathra, east of Bega on the far south coast of New South Wales, were destroyed in 90 minutes by the 1000-hectare fire

Residents are slowly rebuilding their seaside town that was left devastated after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through

Residents are slowly rebuilding their seaside town that was left devastated after a fast-moving bushfire ripped through

It took four minutes for the fire to tear down pub owner Mitchell Creary’s 18-month-old home, while the four houses surrounding his remained completely ‘untouched’.

It was the first house he’d ever built and owned, and still holds guilt about not saving the family home.

Mr Creary, 42, and his wife Alexis have now taken the first steps in rebuilding their home, with others soon to follow suit, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

‘Fingers crossed we get an early Christmas present,’ he said.  

Mr Creary says that the way the community has banded together following the devastating bushfires is inspiring.

‘I honestly don’t think the council, the state government, the locals could have been any better than what they were and that’s probably the main thing that gets me emotional about the whole thing,’ he said. 

The community has come together for residents who need emotional support by offering free counselling sessions, that Bega Rotary president Margaret Taylor believes is helping the community. 

Four months on from the blaze that left the 1700 residents in shock, the town is beginning to thrive

Four months on from the blaze that left the 1700 residents in shock, the town is beginning to thrive

The firestorm ravaged the town, leaving 69 homes destroyed and affecting 70 caravans and cabins

The firestorm ravaged the town, leaving 69 homes destroyed and affecting 70 caravans and cabins

Jani Klotz was left distraught when she saw that the aftermath of the fire had left her without a home, saying that she didn’t believe it until she saw it.

Ms Klotz was one of the first residents whose property was cleared after the bushfire, and is currently working on creating an exact replica of her old ‘treehouse’. 

Owner of the local post office Deb Alker, has been a pillar of stability for those coming to terms with the aftermath of the devastation.

She says that it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for people who have lost houses, with her own parents being some of the unlucky ones.  

The community has come together for residents who need emotional support

The community has come together for residents who need emotional support

Team Rubicon set out to Tathra to help the local residents retrieve things from their homes after the bushfires destroyed them

Team Rubicon set out to Tathra to help the local residents retrieve things from their homes after the bushfires destroyed them

It wasn’t only local residents willing to help each other out, people from around Australia also got involved.

Donations were sent from around the country in conjunction with the state government giving $10 million to help clear debris.

The Bega Valley Shire Council also raised $1.3 million for the coastal town.

Local business are also suffering, as the summer vacation spot that usually doubles in population over summer, has had bookings cancelled.

Beachside Holidy Park owner and manager Carmen Risby wants people to know that Tathra has bounced back is open for business.

‘That’s been the most difficult thing — trying to get people to understand the town has bounced back and the physical impact on the tourism side of things was very minimal and the beach is still beautiful and everything around Tathra is still beautiful,’ she said.  

Local businesses are encouraging people to visit the coastal spot, saying that they have bounced back and are open for business

Local businesses are encouraging people to visit the coastal spot, saying that they have bounced back and are open for business



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