Emergency Accommodation in Batlow Gets its First Resident

Published on 30 April 2020

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Snowy Valleys Council has made available six new cabins at the Batlow Caravan Park as temporary accommodation for locals displaced by the recent bushfires and this week the opportunity has been taken up by one such family.

Mayor Hayes said Council are proud to be providing a tangible way to help affected families stay and live locally while they work through their recovery journey.

“The speed in which Council was able to provide the emergency housing - from deciding to purchase the cabins in January and having them available in April - is a testament to our commitment to the recovery efforts and a credit to the SVC team who delivered in such a short timeframe,” he said.

Ray Billings from the Batlow Development League said he supports the use of the cabins as alternative temporary housing.

“I would strongly encourage our Batlow community members who have been displaced to look at these cabins as an alternative. Council employees have done a wonderful job with the improvements here,” he said.

Council engaged Ray White Tumut to attend to the ongoing management of the properties and the NSW Government Department of Family and Community Services (Emergency Housing) is working with them to ensure a fair selection process is followed and the cabins are given to priority applicants.

“Ray White Tumut are proud to be able to support the Batlow community’s recovery from the devastating bushfires that hit the town,” said Ray White Principal, Ray Piper.

The contemporary two bedroom cabins are fully furnished and fitted with a queen ensemble, two double bunks, sub floor skirting, microwave, fridge and split system air-conditioning.

“We urge any residents who lost their homes and need emergency accommodation for up to two years, to contact Ray White and talk to them about the opportunity,” said Clr Hayes.

Interested locals are asked to contact Ray White Tumut on 6947 6777 to arrange an inspection and discuss the application process.

To comply with Government COVID-19 restrictions the Batlow Caravan Park will not be opening to the public at this time.

-ENDS-