BRETT Wilson is calling for the Hunter to donate unused caravans, camper vans and camper trailers to be used as temporary housing for residents in bushfire affected areas.
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The chief information officer of Hunter based MJH Group has started a Facebook group called Caravans4Bushfires, which has gained more than 600 members in less than a fortnight, and sourced three vans, a camper trailer and kitchen utensils.
"I thought 'How can I make a difference to the people on the ground?'" Mr Wilson said.
"They want to go back into their communities.
"Then I thought of my neighbour's caravan and thought if it's been sitting there for two or three years, maybe there's others out there not being used.
"This type of temporary accommodation would get them back into their communities, onto their properties and farms, and hopefully help them a bit."
Mr Wilson said the township of Quaama, between Cobargo and Brogo, had lost a "significant number" of homes.
"Builders can't get down there right now and it will take six months to build, but if you could give them something already set up and ready to go, and they get water and either a generator or solar power, they can be self sufficient," he said.
"Families will have kids ready to start school soon and so it's important for them to go back to their communities and spend time with their mates and friends as well."
He said a Murrays Beach man left on Tuesday, towing a caravan donated from Kurrajong to a man in Quaama who lost everything but his truck, chainsaw and steel capped boots.
The caravan has been stocked with donated clothing, a camp stove, kitchen utensils, pots, pans and food to be shared with the community.
He said he expected a second donated caravan, from the Central Coast, with three bunks and a double bed to be delivered to Quaama next week.
A third caravan is expected to be available at the end of this month and a camper trailer from Canberra will also soon be on its way to the South Coast.
A donated 10 person tent will be used as an annex.
Mr Wilson said caravans, camper vans and camper trailers need to be in reasonable condition but not necessarily registered.
"We will arrange transport for everything," he said.
"All it needs to be is roadworthy.
"If it's not registered we can get a three day permit and if it can't be towed we can put in on the back of a flat bed truck."
Mr Wilson said anyone who wanted to donate should visit facebook.com/groups/caravans4bushfires/
He said anyone who wanted to lend motorhomes for free and short term use could contact Camplify and anyone who wanted to offer spare room to others as temporary accommodation could contact Helping Homes.
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