National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) will begin working on a recovery plan to clean-up the fire-ravaged Goonoowigall State Conservation Area.
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A Facebook group is uniting Inverell residents eager to find out how they can assist officials and local wildlife; who've been most affected by the recent blaze.
The 'Goonoowigall Conservation Area/ Staggs Lane Fire Inverell Wildlife Rescue' group would like to construct water hydration stations for animals.
Facing red-tape and restrictions, Facebook group moderator Jo McKinnon has organised a sit-down meeting with NPWS ranger Michael Lieberman.
"Suggestions were made during discussions in the group as people started to become quite concerned about the wildlife. Knowing there were guidelines governing us and a closure on national parks, I started making calls to see what could be done." After speaking to officials in the Glen Innes Command centre, Jo made contact with Mr Lieberman who is in charge of recovery across the Northern Tablelands.
A meeting will take place next Tuesday to discuss with the NPWS ranger how volunteers will be able to assist with the clean-up of Goonoowigall, as well as the Tingha Plateau, and any future bushfire recovery areas.
"He was quite excited to hear we have a volunteer group getting organised to get into these national parks and wildlife conservation areas to help. However, NPWS only just received information from the government about the recovery stage and what the requirements and legislation will be around it."
As a Tingha/Inverell girl herself, Jo will make contact with Aboriginal Elders and community members who have an in-depth knowledge of the land. She hopes local Indigenous people will be able to share their ideas and suggestions when cleaning up these fire-affected areas.
"Our vision is to set up water stations at Goonoowigall for the animals and work along side NPWS to assist with clean-up. We have all the local vets on board if we come across injured wildlife. Our vets have contacts for local WIRES carers."
With potential funding opportunities, Facebook group members have been putting their brains together to think of idea to further assist wildlife, and businesses are also willing to get involved.
Jo encouraged everyone to join the group and share it amongst friends. "The more we get it out there, the more volunteers we can get involved." Search 'Goonoowigall Conservation Area/ Staggs Lane Fire Inverell Wildlife Rescue' on Facebook to find out more.