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NEWS Northern Rivers NSW – Coraki Community

By Hollie Mariconte

Another month has passed since the last flood update, yet very little has changed in the small towns of Northern Rivers NSW. More than three months have passed since the floods decimated these towns, people are tired, fed up and still living in bad living conditions.

Coraki Community Hub, is the place where all donations are dropped and distributed. Bianca, the volunteer coordinator of the hub and the fifth generation living in this little town, was able to express the stage in which the people of Coraki are recovering in this disaster.

“We cleaned up our town because we love our town. But now, you if you drove in our streets, you’d think things are fine. If you walked into a home it’s bare bones, no floors, no walls, nothing. No basic human needs, like human rights.”

Many people still wait to hear from insurance companies, assessors and hydro-apologists and until they do, homes must remain untouched. Leaving many residents in limbo and unable to move on with their lives.

There are many people, who continue to try to access grants, and due to long waiting lists or very strict guidelines, many people do not fit into the same box as everyone else, many residents have been refused.

For those who have been successful in obtaining grants, the next issue is access to building materials and trades. There is a huge shortage in the region.

Bianca said: “This is a humanitarian crisis. People are homeless, they’re freezing, there are people camping in tents with babies.”

Some residents of the town have decided to sell their flood-affected homes to buy caravans, so they do not have a fixed address if this problem recurs. Other people want to sell, but due to the dramatic fall in property prices, they would be left with a huge mortgage that leaves no money to pay for a rental.

“For those who have been successful in obtaining grants, the next issue is access to building materials and trades.”

“When your savings and livelihoods are decimated by a disaster like this, people don’t have the resources to relocate, it costs money to do that.”

“When your savings and livelihoods are decimated by a disaster like this, people don’t have the resources to relocate, it costs money to do that.” “People in these communities feel forgotten by our federal government, and more needs to be done.”

When your savings and livelihoods are decimated by a disaster like this, people don’t have the resources to relocate, it costs money to do that. Even if people can leave, they don’t want to. These towns are home, full of familiar faces, people they know and trust, and can count on them if things get tough.

When asked what Bianca would do to help these towns recover, she suggested FIFO camps and trade employees under the federal government. Flying in to spend two weeks rebuilding houses and if the government can’t pay for all this, they could launch a subsidy program. “We need a blitz here so that these small towns don’t die!” The community of Coraki are in need of Flannelette sheets, fan heaters, slow cookers and quilts. The hub had recently received a very friendly donation of handmade quilts, they literally flew out the door. People have lost everything, things of sentimental value. There’s something really special about homemade items that someone had put so much time and energy in order to make you feel loved.

People in these communities feel forgotten by our federal government, and more needs to be done. If it weren’t for the many Australians who help with donations, I dare say that this situation would be much worse, which is difficult to say, considering how people have been living for the last three months.

You can follow the Coraki community hub on Facebook and direct any queries to their email address

corakifloodrecovery@gmail.com

Image Credit: Hollie Mariconte