Blazeaid Cobargo has put out an urgent call for more volunteers as it nears the end of the project with 51 properties still remaining and just 72 days to go until the camp closes.
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The last day of the Cobargo project has been slated for December 23, after the camp was already extended by the organisation in early 2021, with help from Bega Valley Shire Council.
Former coordinator and long-term volunteer, who originally hails from Coffs Harbour, Jude Turner said the dates for the camp would not be extended again.
"Really with time being so short now the two messages we have is that number one we need lots of volunteers to get the job done.
"Two is that we need the remaining property owners to be ready for us, we need them to clear the area, make a plan, and get their fencing materials."
Ms Turner said the volunteer numbers ebb and flow but since some of the long term volunteers have had to move on, they would need at least twenty full-time volunteers to be able to finish the job.
She said the team was also in critical need of a cook and anyone else who may be able to assist in the kitchen that prepares three meals a day for the volunteers.
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The camp has completed 262 properties and have had a total of 679 volunteers since they started operating in January of 2020.
Volunteers have come from all over the country, including backpackers, grey nomads, and others wanting to help out.
There has also been a smaller number of dedicated local people who have been assisting for one or two days per week since the camp started.
"It would be great to have more locals join them," said Ms Turner.
Blazeaid Cobargo hope to be able to complete all 51 remaining jobs, but more volunteers would be essential to be able to finish in the allocated timeframe.
Volunteers get all meals provided and accommodation in the form of a pod, with working electricity, would be provided for people without a caravan.
Even a couple of days on the weekend would hugely benefit the team.
"Fencing isn't as hard as people might think, it's fun and it's a great sense of achievement to build a fence."
Ms Turner said of the remaining properties, some owners had been waiting until they had the funds necessary to facility a fence line, the availability of materials, and also the emotional readiness to deal with the impact of the fires.
The other issue facing property owners was the regrowth of Blackwattle along fence lines that Ms Turner said has been "growing up like wheat fields", and often required machinery to properly clear the line for refencing.
"Now so long after the fires, people have had a lot of regrowth and people are struggling to clear the fence lines to make it safe for our volunteers."
Despite the challenges the team face, Ms Turner said they were really passionate about helping everyone finish their fences.
"Many of the volunteers are really attached to Cobargo and want to see the job there through," she said.
To get in touch with the team, please call camp coordinator Peter Provost on 0477 147 706.