Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has thanked in parliament the large number of volunteers who helped at a grass fire at Gunning in January.

“I’d like to echo the Prime Minister’s comments in the House this week, extending sympathy to those impacted by natural disasters this summer - and thanking volunteers who have helped. “In Hume, several fires have destroyed stock and property. Thankfully no one has been injured locally.

“At Gunning in my electorate, a fast moving fire burnt 700 hectares just two weeks ago.

“A number of power poles were destroyed at the new water treatment plant, which meant residents had to go on temporary water restrictions. Hundreds of stock had to be put down. “There were 180 firefighters, most of them volunteers, who turned up to the Gunning fire and for a village of only 500 people, that response rate speaks volumes.

“Thank you to all who stopped the fire jumping the Hume, including mayor of the Upper Lachlan Shire, John Shaw, who lives at Gunning and was out fighting the fire with many others.

“Can I also pay tribute to the Toparis family of Goulburn and their resilience. Their wonderful café The Greengrocer, a social hub in town and the heart of Goulburn cycling, was burnt to the ground in January.

“We wish the family the very best in their recovery efforts,” said Mr Taylor.