Local News
Bridging the gap between funding and flood victims
Bridging the gap between funding and flood victims
By Samantha Elley
On February 28, 2022, a number of Woodburn residents ended up on the bridge, which spans the Richmond River, with their cars and a few horses.
That is where they stayed for the next week until the flood waters from the worst flood in Australian history receded.
Just over 16 months later, last Saturday, many residents from Woodburn and surrounding villages were back on the bridge, this time to protest the lack of support the Mid Richmond has received and broken promises made by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation since the flood.
“How can they possibly distinguish residents who get a buyback, retrofit or uplift and their neighbour isn’t eligible?” said Beverly Rawson, coordinator of the Saturday rally, referencing the Corporation’s reduction in numbers of homes to be part of the Resilient Homes Program.
“That is segregating our community and backing neighbours against neighbours.”
In a rare occurrence in the political realm, local politicians stepped across party lines and levels of government to show their support for long-suffering residents in the Mid-Richmond.
State member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, Federal member for Page, Kevin Hogan, Richmond Valley mayor, Robert Mustow, State member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Gurmesh Singh, all offered their support.
Residents turned out on the gorgeous winter’s day at Woodburn Park to stand together with homemade signs, naming their towns and having their say.
“We need to do better,” said Mr Williamson.
“This is a humanitarian crisis we are dealing with and the Premier agreed.
“He said he will have some senior ministers in our electorate soon.
“Those decision-makers need to understand what you are going through.”
After being questioned when these senior ministers would visit, Mr Williamson said ‘loosely within a month’.
Mr Williamson said tranche two of the funding should be aimed at Mid-Richmond residents.
Currently, the Resilient Homes Fund has been co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for $700 million.
“With the Home Resilient Program they have currently funding to do buybacks for 1100 homes, even though over 2000 have been identified as unsafe areas,” said Mr Hogan.
“Houses here in Woodburn and the lower Richmond need the offer of house raisings and retrofits.
“We are launching a petition to the government, to encourage them and make them understand the desperate situation these communities are in.”
Mr Hogan said Tranche 2 of funding for the program needed to be double again of the Tranche 1 amount.
He also said the petition will give him the opportunity to demonstrate the level of public support as he continues to take up the fight for the Albanese government to fully support all necessary funding requirements.
To sign the petition to go to government, visit www.dontforgetus.com.au
No income, no support
Alannah Hovard from Broadwater owns The Daily Bread café inside the old Catholic Church, north of the village, and is one of the many stories of struggle that continues 16 months after Australia’s worst flood.
She owns both the church building and her home situated at the back of the property, which were damaged in the floods.
“(The café) closed during Covid,” she said.
“It had been opened for eight years, then my partner passed away.
“Then 14 months after that, I was just starting to stand on my own two feet again, trying to sell my business and the floods went through and it’s knocked me back.”
Ms Hovard is a woman in her 60s, now on her own and has no one to help her.
“The only money I have received is the Back to Home Grant of $20,000 and $3,500 from the Federal government,” she said.
“In fact, I got more from charity than the Federal government.
“I have been struggling with the compounded grief over the last few years.”
Ms Hovard said she often cries, having good and bad days as she deals with repairing her home and commercial premises.
“To get tradies is very expensive, very difficult,” she said.
“There’s very little trust now as I’ve had a lot of shonky tradies through and you pay a lot for it and you’re in no fit state to argue the costs.”
Ms Hovard has received a report from the Johns Lyng group after they came out twice to evaluate her home and business.
“The guy who came out to my place was from Melbourne, so there’s a lot of people flying up here doing all this and we get nothing,” she said.
“They said everyone would get a case worker. We have not received a case worker.”
Despite Ms Hovard’s property being classified as HIGH risk, she is still wondering if anything will be done.
Basic necessities still missing
Since the flood, Woodburn has been without a supermarket and petrol station.
Tania Hundy owns the IGA that was severely damaged through last year’s flood and has had a lot of difficulty trying to re-open.
“We only just revamped about 13 months before the flood,” she said.
“We also have the house out the back, so we lost everything in there as well, and the car.
“The store itself is now irreparable as it is now.”
Ms Hundy said the damage is structural and now needs to be rebuilt.
“I have contacted the NRRC on that matter to flood proof it with concrete panels,” she said.
“And as the town is suffering with no supermarket and no service station, a lot of people come into town and can’t understand why we don’t have them.”
Ms Hundy highlighted the inconvenience for residents who are unable to get groceries after hours, and those elderly in the town who don’t drive more than five kilometres.
“Not only that, it’s social,” she said.
“Some of our customers would come in three or four times a day and they need that at the moment.”
Ms Hundy said despite calling the NRRC three times and talking to David Witherdin, Chief Executive of the NRRC, no support has been forthcoming.
LISMORE MAYOR ELECTED NEW CHAIR OF REGIONAL CITIES NSW
Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) has elected a new Chair and Deputy Chair for a two-year term.
Lismore City Council Mayor, Cr Steve Krieg was elected as Chair and Cr Russell Webb, Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, was re-elected Deputy Chair at a board meeting in Sydney yesterday.
Steve Krieg the new Chair of NSW Regional Cities
The new leadership will lead the organisation post-NSW local government elections, which took place in September.
Cr Krieg said he was proud to lead Regional Cities New South Wales as it advocated for a fair share of investment and population growth to ensure regional cities continued to thrive.
“Regional Cities New South Wales is an important advocate for its members and has a proven track record as a valuable partner for the State Government,” Cr Krieg said.
“I am passionate about the work of Regional Cities NSW. Our members are a similar size and are facing similar issues. Together, we are stronger.
“We have much work to do as we are on the frontline of change in New South Wales. This includes growing populations, energy transition and climate impacts.
“Our cities are also highly liveable and we know regional living is on the minds of many Sydneysiders. We want our cities to retain their liveability as new residents continue to make the move.
“As chair, I will be a strong voice for our member cities as we meet these opportunities.”
Cr Webb retained his position as Deputy Chair.
“I’m very happy to be reappointed as Deputy Chair,” Cr Webb said. “It has been fantastic working with Mayors, General Managers and CEOs of Regional Cities New South Wales.”
“Cr Krieg will lead us in the right direction and I am looking forward to working in partnership as we continue to build our strong network of relationships in Macquarie Street,” Cr Webb said.
Cr Krieg also noted the work of Cr Mathew Dickerson, who stepped down as Chair after the New South Wales local government elections.
“Cr Dickerson has left a great legacy as I take the reins of Regional Cities NSW,” Cr Krieg said.
“Cr Dickerson has led us through the many challenges we have encountered over the past few years, particularly as our members faced natural disasters, housing availability and growing skills shortages.
“Regional cities have received key support in these areas due to his leadership and advocacy. There is still much to do, but the impacts in these areas have been meaningful for our communities,” Cr Krieg concluded.
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