There have been many charities and volunteer organisations that have helped Lismore and the Northern Rivers post February 28, 2022. Think Aussie Hay Runners, Resilient Lismore, Turbans 4 Australia and Thread Together.

BlazeAid is another organisation that has gone above and beyond to help our community. They have been responsible for getting our farmers and rural land owners' paddocks fenced once again. In terms of numbers, over 300 have been completed with a further 140 to be done to finish their work in the Northern Rivers (NRs). Work that should be completed within the next four months.

The problem is, to complete that work the BlazeAid crew need a new home.

The organisation started after the 2019 bushfires and has had a presence in the NRs for the last four years. Their stay extended through the difficulties of COVID and last year's floods.

BlazeAid local NRs Coordinators Wayne and Cindy Lusted came to help out for a month, that was four months ago.

Home was initially the Casino Showground on and off for three years but that ended as the venue needed to start work on a $10 million redevelopment.

Richmond Valley Council (RVC) then offered BlazeAid the Rapville Sports Ground which has been home with a three-month agreement plus a three-month option, however, the Richmond Valley Council (RVC) has chosen to not offer the three-month extension.

General Manager of RVC Vaughan McDonald told the Lismore App, "After conversations with the Rapville Community, it was decided to not extend the agreement. The people of Rapville want the facility to be available to be used again. They have an Australia Day event planned."

"During our Council meeting in December, it was resolved to acknowledge the contribution BlazeAid has made to the community. They have done a lot of good work. We have looked after them and we hope they can find an alternative option to finish their good work.

Mr McDonald said BlazeAid CEO Melissa Jones received confirmation of the decision before Christmas. They need to be out of the Rapville Sports Ground by January 20.

So, the NRs BlazeAid team have to find an alternative site or shut down their operations here and move to new projects elsewhere in the state.

Wayne Lusted told the Lismore App, "We are looking for somewhere we can stay for a few months to finish everything up. Most of the blokes haven’t been able to get on their properties until recently because it has been too wet."

Cindy Lusted and Melissa Jones are looking for alternative sites that have basic amenities such as water, showers, toilets, a kitchen and power.

"At the end of a day's work, our volunteers are looking for a good meal and a good night's sleep," Cindy said, "We have had an offer about an hour and a half away but we need to consider travel time and fuel costs."

The BlazeAid NRs crew have caravans and six (6) PODS to house some of their single workers.

"We would love to be able to finish the final jobs but we haven't got anywhere to go. Normally we would have finished by now but the floods devastated a lot of properties plus the ground was so wet so such a long period of time."

Cindy and Wayne both told stories of farmers that have lost everything, house, stock and fencing and are looking for help so they can get back on their feet and move forward. "We have people calling us in tears," Cindy added, "They just can't afford to get it done."

One problematic area could be the competition from local fencing contractors, so BlazeAid taking away work from local businesses. However, Cindy explained she has been in contact with two such businesses who have said they have enough work for the next 18 months already booked in.

Below is an example of BlazeAid's work utilising a plastic fencing product that was donated to the cause.