The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has awarded the Land Manager at the Cobargo Showground who turned the showground into a community safe haven during the 2019/20 bushfires, an Excellence Award for Crown Land Management.
The seven-member Land Manager won the Award from a strong field of nominations at the 2020 Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
The winners were announced last Friday (20 November) during an Online Awards Presentation.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey congratulated the Cobargo Showground Land Manager which manages the Cobargo Showground, as a symbol of a determined and resourceful community.
“This Crown Land Manager is a seven-member volunteer committee responsible for the care, control and management of the Showground for the benefit of the wider community,” Mrs Pavey said.
“During the New Year’s Eve bushfire, the Land Manager immediately opened Cobargo Showground turning it into a safe haven for relief, support, comfort and friendship.
“During the 2019/20 bushfires, some 30 showgrounds located on Crown land across the State including Cobargo served heroically as emergency evacuation centres for residents and their animals.
“Supported by Bega Valley Shire Council and the NSW Rural Fire Service, the Cobargo Showground Land Manager is now working to build a modern community facility which will also be a bushfire and disaster refuge.”
