Orange City Council voted unanimously in favour of donating $10,000 to the appeal after a fire that started in the Warrumbungle National Park went on to destroy homes and 43,000 hectares of land throughout the region.

It’s one of the largest donations to any appeal Orange City Council has made since donating $10,000 to the rebuilding of the burnt-down Kelso High School in Bathurst in 2005.

Cr Davis said donating to the cause was a “major gesture from the city’s ratepayers.”

“Some time has passed now but the fact is they’re going to be dealing with this catastrophe for quite a while yet,” Cr Davis said.

“We’ve done it before and council was one for all on Tuesday night.

“It’s the Australian way. Floods, fires, any type of disaster, if you can help out a mate you do.”

The $10,000 comes under section 356 of the state government legislation enabling council to put aside funds in its budget each year in order to be able to respond to requests for donations or sponsorship from the public.

Starting on January 12 in the Warrumbungle National Park, the fire is still burning.

Bathurst Regional Council is debating whether it should donate $5000 to the cause.

“The fact is, I would think the appeal would appreciate any amount of money. Whether it be one dollar of $1000, it all adds up,” Cr Davis added.

“We believe $10,000 is an applicable amount. They’re in dire straights and no amount of money can repay the memories they’ve lost. We’d hope if such a disaster was to strike our region we’d also be helped.”