Photographs capture the grim reality for some of Australia's bushfire survivors

ABC NSW, By Stephanie March and Sashka Koloff 6 July 2020

Historic Images of South East Coast of Australia 2 January 2020

Almost one in three of Cobargo’s shops were burned down. The asbestos-riddled debris wasn’t cleared until June. Federal and state government funded clean-up contractors have swarmed the main street in recent months. Locals are frustrated this clean-up has taken so long.

It’s a huge task — in the Bega Valley Shire alone there are more than 2,000 burnt buildings to remove, containing an enormous 32,000 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated material. The Cobargo showground is home to the town’s bushfire relief centre, where locals come for supplies and to get help navigating the maze of bureaucracy. Read more...