Our Say | Dungog Chronicle

More than 13,000 head of livestock have died in NSW bushfires since Christmas, with the toll expected to continue to rise. Crews from the Department of Primary Industry and Local Land Services have been assessing fire-impacted farmers, including those affected by the Dunns Road and Green Valley fires, which have been burning in the Snowy Valleys region for weeks. More than 10,500 tonnes of fodder have been distributed to farmers at points including Holbrook, Adelong, Tumut and Tumbarumba, along with water. At the same time, the World Wildlife Fund has estimated that more than one billion animals have died in the recent bushfires across the country, which have burned out more than 10 million hectares of Australian land. Producers can report stock losses and infrastructure damage, or request animal assessment, or emergency fodder or water for stock by calling the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647. Farm repair volunteer group BlazeAid has been in the area around Adelong, helping with the task of replacing fences and other farm structures. Col Locke, from the Tumut Community Association, said rainfall on Sunday and Monday in the Snowy Valleys area had been welcomed by the community, after weeks devastating bushfires. Mr Locke said communities were now beginning the task of rebuilding. "People have just been numb for three weeks," he said.

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