Yet BVSC has just refused to give permission to North Tura residents to apply for special grants (at no cost to council) to construct a fire shed at Dolphin Cove to secure fire trailers and valuable equipment.

CFU volunteers are not firefighters combatting bushfires or structure fires, but they are trained to support firefighters with backup activities including: addressing ember attack and spot fires in their own specified areas; keeping hydrants clear for the fire brigade; identifying 'aged and at risk' residents in their area in case of fire emergency; recording static water supply storage like pools and tanks; recording gas and combustible materials; and assisting local property owners with individual fire management plans, especially the issue of when to stay or leave when threatened.

This BVSC refusal will only increase the frustration existing in our community over the demarcation issues between our two state firefighting agencies. The Keelty Report on the March 2018 Tathra fire stated "there is palpable animosity between NSW firefighting agencies." This unacceptable situation continues and carries over into operational aspects of our local CFUs.

BVSC's Bush Fire Risk Management Plan adopted in February 2019 well after the Tathra fires refers only to the RFS, does not define the role of Fire and Rescue NSW, ignores the Keelty recommendation to abolish fire boundaries between the RFS and FRNSW, and includes no performance indicators to assess whether the plan is meeting its objectives.

BVSC's poor management record here probably explains its negative attitude to Community Fire Units.

I am a proud resident of Pambula Beach and usually walk the beach with my dog daily. During these walks I have many conversations with visitors and the sad news, like us locals, they are devastated by the condition of the beach - many of these people have young children who cannot play because of the seaweed and ash covering great areas abutting the caravan park make it impossible and unsafe. We are supposed to be encouraging visitors not sending them away with negative experiences. When will the council do something about this? Easter will soon be on us!

With most things around town at a standstill, what is happening to Bunnings and Aldi? These business will bring people into town and hopefully restart a real interest in the this beautiful place.

A musing. Why are supermarket shelves emptying?

Perhaps the pandemic hysteria is really all about losing connection and freedom to move freely in our society, to gather, travel, hug, kiss and have nurturing human contact.

The bonds of community so vital during and after these recent bushfires hold us steady and help each of us find our way forward with resilience and empathy.

The corona megavirus isolates individuals, denies contact and creates paranoia and fear in communities that have just been through a hyper-vigilant state of terror.

We cannot bear to be alone.

Perhaps "retail therapy" offers some bizarre sense of security and self soothing. I'll be right as long as I have my toilet paper.