NSW Government declares North Coast floods a natural disaster

22 May 2009

Premier Nathan Rees has declared a natural disaster following major wind damage and extensive flooding on the State’s North Coast.

The natural disaster declaration will cover Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley local government areas.

The regions have borne the brunt of the torrential rain – up to 405mm over the past 72 hours -and winds gusting up to 130km/h.

“The Government stands ready to provide these communities with the assistance they need,” Mr Rees said.

“The declaration will provide for a range of assistance to cover personal hardship and distress as well as funding for those who have suffered property damage, including residents, councils, business owners and primary producers.

“It will particularly assist councils with the cost of repairing serious road damage caused by floodwaters, including clearing landslips and repairing erosion and a major culvert collapse in Oliver Ave, Goonellabah.”

An evacuation centre is open at Southern Cross University.

The Premier, Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan and State Emergency Service (SES) Director General Murray Kear today inspected flood damage and thanked staff and volunteers for their hard work.

“Our volunteers and emergency workers are doing a fantastic job,” Mr Rees said.

“There are more than 300 SES volunteers on the ground this morning, with members of the Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire Brigades assisting.

“The SES has received more than 1,560 requests for help from the border to Coffs Harbour and as always, the volunteers have responded magnificently.”

NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said that the natural disaster declaration can be extended to other local government areas as needed, as this weather system continues to move south in the next two days.

The extreme winds have unroofed buildings and brought down trees and power lines, with electricity supplies to homes, businesses and water supply and sewerage plants interrupted.

About 18,000 customers in the area remain without power, with Country Energy bringing in additional crews to help restore power supplies.

Mr Whan appealed to people to be vigilant, with emergency services already carrying out 15 flood rescues and 16 assisted evacuations.

“With the Wilsons River predicted to peak at 10.4m about noon, the SES had advised people in North Lismore, the CBD and South Lismore to prepare their homes and business for potential flooding and to evacuate,” Mr Whan said.

“The SES will continue to monitor floodwaters moving south towards Coraki over the coming days and would focus on monitoring isolated properties in the lower Richmond and Wilsons valleys.

“We also are closely watching the situation in Grafton, where the Clarence River continues to rise, with extra SES crews deployed to the area to assist local volunteers.

“Access to Bellingen has been cut and Darkwood and Thora are again isolated, with the SES continuing to monitor the community’s welfare.”

Drivers should check the RTA Traffic Information Line on 131 700 or www.rta.nsw.gov.au for the latest road information.

If you need emergency assistance, contact your local SES on 132 500.

For life-threatening emergencies call Triple Zero on 000.

Flood information is available on the Public Information and Inquiry Line on 1800 227 228.