Residue Flood Appeal funds donated to Lismore Soup Kitchen

Lismore City Council has donated the final remaining funds from the Lismore Flood Appeal to the Lismore Soup Kitchen in recognition of its ongoing hard work and dedication to assisting flood-affected residents and the homeless.

Councillors unanimously decided to donate the residue amount of $5760.12 to the Soup Kitchen that was donated between the distribution of flood grants last year and the closure of the Lismore Flood Appeal.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said donating the remaining funds to the charity would go a long way to assisting those in need of help.

“If we had distributed this amount equally to those who had previously received a grant, each person would only have received $3.20 so Councillors decided the funds would be better spent by donating the whole amount to one charity, the Soup Kitchen,” he said.

“The stipulations of the Public Fund Rules require that any surplus amounts are transferred to a recognised and tax-deductible charitable organisation.

“This decision underlines Council’s commitment to support local charities and non-profit organisations that play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of our community.”

Mayor Krieg also thanked everyone who donated to the Lismore Flood Appeal.

Soup Kitchen Manager Steve Smith (left) with Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg.

“On behalf of Councillors and Council, I would again like to thank everyone who donated to our Appeal, which raised about $1.7 million from across the country,” he said.

Lismore Soup Kitchen Manager Steve Smith said the donation will help with the organisation’s current projects.

“Since the 2022 flooding disaster, the Winsome and Soup Kitchen have been engaged in Flood Recovery and rebuilding work throughout Lismore and the Northern Rivers area, in a program called ‘Repair to Return’,” he said.

“The work involves conducting essential repairs to homes and is an active and ongoing partnership with Resilient Lismore, Joel Jensen Constructions with support from the Catholic Diocese.”

“The Winsome also runs The Good Pantry at 51 Wyrallah Road in East Lismore, providing subsidised groceries to families and households in need, so this funding helps in so many ways.”

To provide the grant assistance to those in need as quickly as possible, Council distributed the funds raised in two initial rounds, providing $650 to a total of 1800 eligible community members, followed by another $304.54.

When the Flood Appeal began, Council staff developed procedures and processes to ensure the large sum of money and applications were managed in a fair, transparent and efficient manner.

No administration costs were deducted, with 100 per cent of funds raised going to flood-affected residents.

For more local Lismore news, click here.

Lismore’s Roger Manby finally gets his life back, 18 months after the deluge

In the early morning of February 28, 2022, Roger Manby was forced onto the roof of his home to escape floodwaters surging through the first floor of his home.

After 18 months of repairs, Mr Manby has moved back to Casino Street, South Lismore and he’s delighted to be home.

“I don’t know where else I’d want to go – this is where I want to be,” he said.

“I think I went to 65 different countries when I was in the Navy by my count, so I’ve done my moving around.”

Mr Manby, a HammondCare At Home client, now has a home refitted with new walls and floors and a new kitchen and bathroom.

He had limited insurance cover, so he relied plenty on family and friends.

Roger Manby waitng on his roof in February 2022 as help arrives

His son Jay, a local artist, provided much hands-on support building new walls and floors while providing him with a bedroom at his home at Eltham, several kilometres from Lismore.

The HammondCare Foundation pitched in with some financial backing. Mr Manby was one of 11 HammondCare At Home clients who had their homes inundated. Another five HammondCare At Home staff who had their homes damaged also were helped.

The Foundation, the charity fundraising arm of HammondCare, raised $85,000 in 2022 specifically to assist clients and staff impacted by the floods. Another $10,000 was donated to the Lismore Flood Appeal.

Mr Manby’s son Rory, who recently relocated to the US for work, passed on a near-new fridge and large screen TV.  Mr Manby says about his appliances: “I’ve now got better stuff than I’ve ever had before”.

A new air conditioning system with its compressor wisely perched high and dry on the roof has been installed for a bargain price. Bathroom tiles were leftovers from a supermarket contract.

Roger Manby and HCAH careworker Charlotte Arneault enjoying his backyard in Casino St

“For 18 months I’ve been living in one room at my son’s place. I could stretch out on the right-hand side of the bed and the left-hand side and that was it,” he said.

“Now I have two bedrooms, a lounge room and a separate dining room and a kitchen. What more could you ask for?”

“This now feels palatial.”

The ground floor of his home will be left in an unrenovated state for now. Jay has plans to make it a work studio.

The impact of the flood was felt elsewhere in his family. His daughter Heather is participating in the buyback after her home on Ballina Road was overwhelmed by the disaster.

HammondCare At Home Northern Rivers Regional Manager Jodi Peel dropped by to see Roger at Casino St yesterday. Already his valued memorabilia from years of a career at sea is back hanging back on the walls.

Premier Chris Minns, HammondCare CEO Mike Baird and Roger Manby on September 26, 2023

“Listening to Roger share stories of his time in the Navy warms my heart. It’s great to see Roger happy,” Ms Peel said.

HammondCare CEO Mike Baird met with Mr Manby in September when HammondCare At Home opened its new regional headquarters in Lismore

“Everyone at HammondCare wishes Mr Manby the very best as he settles back into his home after having endured so much,” Mr Baird said.

“We are proud to continue to support him with his needs.”

To learn more about HammondCare At Home, click here.

For more 2022 floods news, click here.

Council delivers on community recovery challenge

Kyogle Council

Kyogle Council has emerged from the most challenging period ever faced by the organisation and its people having completed more than $88 million in flood damage and capital works in a 12-month period, Mayor Cr Kylie Webster (Thomas) said at the release of Council’s Annual Report.

Following the catastrophic 2022 floods, Council was faced with a massive flood repair program and a worrying shortage of resources to undertake the rebuild and recovery.

“That meant Council had to be innovative in the way it worked and prepared to adapt quickly to the changing circumstances,” Cr Webster said.

“The success of this strategy can be seen in the record-breaking amount of work we’ve been able to complete in the 12 months to July 2023.”

The $88 million work program completed is $61 million more than the previous record of $27 million set in 2021/2022.

Cr Webster said Council’s financial position remained strong despite the challenges generated by the floods.

“We are in a good position going forward, with money in the bank and grants coming in at a higher than expected rate,” she said.

“It’s been an extremely challenging time for everyone, and on behalf of the Councillors, I want to thank our valuable staff. Even during the flood restoration works program, Council staff exceeded expectations and continue to deliver a high level of service to the various communities in our shire.

“The Council would also like to acknowledge the community for their support and understanding during this challenging period and thank the many people who have taken the time to contact and thank staff for their efforts.”

“As challenging as last financial year was, Council has once again proved it’s ability to punch well above its weight.”

Cr Webster also thanked her fellow Councillors for their support and acknowledged the important role they played in setting the strategic priorities and providing the resources needed to overcome the challenges of the past 18 months.

The annual report, which is available on Council’s website, provides details of Council’s operations over the 2022-2023 financial year including a summary of achievements.

Kyogle floods, 2022.

Achievements include:

• A total of 32 timber bridges replaced with concrete or steel structures – 29 bridges replaced under the Fixing Country Bridges Program, two bridges jointly funded by Fixing Country Bridges and the Bridge Renewal Program and one bridge completed under the Kyogle Page Bridge Package;
• 15.3km of sealed roads rehabilitated;
• 409.4km of roads re-sheeted/graded, which includes the emergency works associated with the February 2022 floods and natural disaster;
• More than 59,000 potholes patched;
• Initial sealing of 1km section of Dyraaba Road completed under the Fixing Local Roads Program;
• Collins Creek Road initial seal to Tims Lane completed using a combination of flood damage and Council co-contributions to build back better;
• 1,185.04 tonnes of material recycled
• 33,568 visits to Kyogle library
• Continued support of the Kyogle Writers Festival, Pumpkin Festival and a series of other events across the LGA;
• Bonalbo Caravan Park refurbishment completed;
• 42,620 pool attendances;
• Purchasing of land at Tabulam for future water and sewerage treatment plants;
• Implemented a new three-bin waste collection service for general waste, recyclables and food and organics waste including community education campaign;
• Adopted the Flying-fox Camp Management Plan and developed protocols for managing extreme weather incidents and works near the flying-fox camp;
• Successful in securing $200,000 grant from the Environmental Trust and LGNSW to create 4.7 hectares of flying-fox habitat north of the Kyogle Recreation Reserve;
• Installed three separate displays in Kyogle to showcase the Sinclair Collection – a substantial collection of minerals, crystals and fossils gifted to Council by the family of the late Lloyd and Glenys Sinclair;
• Continuing marketing of the ‘Kyogle Up for It’ campaign to promote tourism and visitors to the Kyogle LGA;
• Eleven exhibitions held in the Roxy Gallery showcasing local artists and ten exhibitions in the ‘Steppin’ Up Gallery’ to support young, emerging artists and artists living with a disability;
• KMI Hall Supper Room improvements completed;
• Secured betterment funding for Grieves Crossing and the Clarence Way to allow for building back better post flooding natural disaster;
• Mobile phone blackspot mapping completed across the LGA.
• 91 development applications approved with a total value of $15.64 million

For more 2022 floods news, click here.