Face of Nation : Police have escorted some evacuated Gold Coast hinterland residents back to their properties so they can get their first glimpse at homes decimated by bushfires.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said a small convoy of evacuees from the Binna Burra and Sarabah areas were allowed to return home on Sunday to check on animals and get much-needed medications.
Cr Christensen said the residents had been warned their homes were gone but that this was the first time they could assess the damage. “One or two of those found property loss,” he told AAP on Monday. “However they had been told when they went in, so they were prepared for that.”
Eleven homes and the historic Binna Burra Lodge, which is still inaccessible, have been destroyed by the dangerous blaze in the Gold Coast hinterland.
On Monday the fire was burning on both sides of Binna Burra Rd, south of Summerville Rd, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said. The area south of Beechmont towards Binna Burra remains the highest risk. The fire is not directly threatening any homes but crews are standing guard on properties where there may be flare-ups.
About 190 people have registered as evacuees, with all staying with friends or people in the hinterland community who have opened their homes. Cr Christensen said another urgent focus on Monday was to get fodder to hungry livestock. “I do know there have been some substantial livestock losses… I don’t have an estimate of numbers yet,” he said.
