Gillard visits charred ‘moonscape’ of Coonabarabran – ‘Flames at the height of the observatory tower – it was an amazing firestorm’
By Tim Barlass
17 January 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard flew into Coonabarabran on Thursday to witness first-hand the devastating effects of the bushfire that claimed at least 49 homes. At a press conference, the Prime Minister announced financial support for those who had lost homes or been evacuated. Ms Gillard drove through the Timor Road in Warrumbungle National Park, the epicentre of the inferno, which opened on Wednesday for the first time since the fire for residents to see the extent of their losses. The Prime Minister surveyed the charred countryside and blackened forests described by the Rural Fire Service as a “moonscape”. She saw the ruins of the home in which Bob and Jeanette Fenwick had raised four children. The Fenwicks also lost 33 cows and 250 sheep in the blaze. Their property is in the valley below the Australian Astronomical Observatory where accommodation was destroyed, the site of which the Prime Minister also visited on Thursday. Mr Fenwick told Ms Gillard that when he arrived at the property there was nothing to be done to stop the flames. “We couldn’t do anything here. It was over. It was so fast,” he said. “Unbelievable really, isn’t it,” the Prime Minister replied, touching his arm. “I was up at the [Siding Springs] Observatory talking to people up there about how they looked out to see a narrow plume of smoke and then it’s just – whoosh and they are leaving as quickly as they can with flames at the height of the observatory tower. It was an amazing firestorm.” [more]
