A P O C O LY P S I S C O N S O L A T O R I A 2 0 2 2 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 36 #39 • March 9, 2022 • www.echo.net.au
Roadworks begin for trapped residents
Flood damaged asbestos warning
Hans Lovejoy
Paul Bibby
It’s a week later, and the enormity of damage to the north of the Shire is just starting to emerge after a flood event that came largely without warning in the early hours of March 1. On Monday, March 8, newly formed State government agency, Resilience NSW, established a Flood Recovery Centre at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall. The flood response, up until that point, was run by volunteers and the Resilient Byron network. They coordinated life-saving rescues and food and equipment drops, along with other support.
Locals are being warned to exercise caution as they clear out flooddamaged homes and businesses, owing to the serious health risks posed by asbestos, black mould and water-borne diseases. As the Shire moves into recovery mode following last weekend’s devastating floods, experts are commending the incredible community clean-up effort, but warning locals to ‘mask up, suit up and wrap it up’. ‘If you’re living in a house around here that was built before 2000, there’s a good chance that there’s asbestos in there somewhere,’ one Northern Rivers environmental consultant told The Echo. ‘It’s often in boards and panels in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen – it’s when you’re pulling those out that things can become problematic. ‘If it’s an older home there’s often old vinyl flooring underneath the carpet and that’s definitely something to look out for, along with material from the ceiling and the eves.’ With tens of thousands of homes across the region suffering serious flood damage, a large proportion of the ongoing clean-up effort will almost certainly continue to be done by everyday community members, assisted by licensed building contractors. ‘If it looks like asbestos it probably is,’ Bill Lowrie, from East Coast Asbestos advised. ‘My advice is, get a P2 mask, get a bunch of black plastic and don’t go ripping a hole in the wall if you don’t really need to.’ ▶ Continued on page 5
ADF troops, helicopters The newly established centre will provide information ‘on clean-up services, financial help, insurance and legal support, business support, mental health and well-being support’. The local Resilience NSW team is led by Myles O’Reilly. He told The Echo the Australian Defence Force (ADF) were here to assist, with a troop of around 30 personnel, with more expected to arrive in the coming days. As part of Operation Flood Assist, they will be tasked with helicopter runs into the cut off remote areas behind Mullum. The SES is coordinating the airspace with respect to helicopters he said, so that there was a clear management approach. While Mullumbimby, South Golden Beach, Ocean Shores and Billinudgel were severely affected by last week’s massive flooding, many living in Byron Shire’s
Mullum’s Repair Cafe open for flood crisis ▶ p4
Williams Bridge, located before the Main Arm Store, was one of many bridges destroyed. Photo Cassie Douglas hinterland are still cut off, owing to massive landslips, and collapsed roads and bridges that have been washed away. Newly formed creeks now run where roads once were, and most of the hills behind Mullum are only accessible by experienced off-road motorcycle riders.
Main Arm, Wilsons Creek ëŕĎ LƖşŕćſşşŊ ĈƖƐ şǔ Council staff say they are very concerned about the road networks in Main Arm, Wilsons Creek and Huonbrook.
Professionals coordinate medical needs ▶ p5
A statement reads, ‘It is important that people do not take matters into their own hands to clear land slips, or create alternative routes, as roads may have severe structural issues beyond those which are visually apparent. ‘We are continuing with urgent geotechnical assessment and monitoring’. A Tweed Council roads department spokesperson told The Echo that that they have no time frame on when Rowlands Creek Road, which links Uki to Upper Main Arm, can be inspected and repaired. ▶ Continued on page 3
On the ground with the People’s Army ▶ p7
Closed Byron Shire roads include: Left Bank Road, Wanganui Road, Whian Road at Lismore Shire Border, Mill Road, Wilsons Creek Road, Huonbrook Road, Federal Drive, Main Arm Road, Johnsons Road, Coopers Creek Road. Palmwoods Road, Englishes Road, Upper Main Arm Road, Upper Wilsons Creek Road, and Blindmouth Road. For more info, visit MyRoadInfo.
Need some light entertainment? Check Seven ▶ p16
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Find professional tradies in the Echo Service Directory ▶ p25