Heavy rain may have forced the closure of beaches along the New South Wales South Coast but it has lifted the spirits of local businesses left devasted by bushfires.
All beaches along the 143-kilometre-long Eurobodalla coastline have been closed after bushfire debris washed into nearby waterways and created dangerous swimming conditions.
Almost 500 homes were destroyed in Eurobodalla Shire since the start of the bushfire season, with some 271,000 hectares — or 79 per cent of the shire — burned.
"The rain was most welcome but one of the consequences of that is we're seeing an enormous amount of debris washed up on our beaches," the Eurobodalla Shire Mayor, Liz Innes, said.
"At the moment we understand … that nature will take care of a lot of that, it will take some time.
"We're monitoring all of the beaches and as soon as they're open for people to take a swim, we'll let everybody know."
Beaches from Durras in the north through Batemans Bay and Moruya, to Tilba Tilba in the south, have been affected.
Durras resident Jocelyn Pfitzner said she was "amazed" when she saw the large debris pile on Cullendulla Beach.
She visited to retrieve some of the burned shards of wood to use in workshops with local artists.
"We've seen so much of the river come out and meet with the sea and we thought that everything was clear and beautiful again, and then all the rains have brought this down onto our beaches," she said.
"There's a bit of worry for businesses because it'll be a bit of a while before it cleans up again but the ocean will do that naturally."
The council is looking at ways to help remove the debris while it waits for it to be washed back out to sea.
Some beaches may have also been affected by sewer overflows, and have been signposted.
Businesses 'buoyed' as tourists return
The bushfires cut off large areas of the NSW coastal region and forced the evacuation of thousands of visitors over the busy holiday period — a peak trading time for local businesses.
Alison Miers from the Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber said tourists were returning to the region and she didn't think the beach closures would have a noticeable impact on visitor traffic.
"I think everyone's buoyed; the rain was a welcome relief and I think that everyone had started to move forward before the rain came," she said.
"The beaches that will be closed for a little period of are is insignificant to a lot of businesses and I think a lot of people are really starting to come and support the community."
The Business Council of Australia has even organised a pop-up mall in Mogo, which was flattened by the Clyde Mountain fire on New Year's Eve.
Ms Miers said the continued support from people in Canberra and surrounds visiting the South Coast was "overwhelming".
"Everyone needs it … people are just coming from all areas and walks of life to support the communities, it's fantastic," she said.
Ms Innes agreed there were still plenty of "incredible, wonderful things" to attract visitors, including locally made produce, markets and shopping.
"It's actually really interesting to come and have a look at just how resilient nature is," Ms Innes said.
"We've got trees that are throwing out new shoots, the oceans are really dynamic at the moment, so it's a really incredible place to come and have a look at."
