BlazeAid mends fences

MORE than 158 people have completed 980 days of work for volunteer-based organisation BlazeAid, which helps rebuild fences destroyed by natural disasters such as the Sampson Flat bushfire.

The first deployment of BlazeAid volunteers in SA was on January 20.

Since then, 155 families have registered for assistance, 43 projects started, 16 completed and 11 no longer required assistance.

BlazeAid administrator Lyn Bailey, Vic, who has been in SA since January 17, said most families assisted had been lifestyle property owners.

"We help people who are uninsured or underinsured," she said.

"Generally, property owners need to supply their own materials but if they cannot afford to then sometimes we can help through donations.

"If people are fully insured then they need to get contractors in, but sometimes insurance doesn't cover clearing of old fences so we can help with clearing in that instance."

Lyn said volunteers in SA had also helped chainsaw trees, move timber and sometimes had the capacity to assist with repair and maintenance-type tasks.

BlazeAid has set up a base camp at the former Lenswood Research Centre.

With some volunteers having come from interstate, there is also a camp ground full of tents and caravans.

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BlazeAid mends fences