Northern NSW shifts into flood recovery mode

Updated January 30, 2013 19:01:00

Floodwaters have eased in northern New South Wales and the damage is becoming more apparent. But for those on the Clarence and Wilsons Rivers, the focus is turning to recovery. As it does, health officials are warning of floodwaters contaminated by sewage.

Source: PM | Duration: 3min 3sec

Topics: floods, grafton-2460, australia, nsw


SALLY SARA: The floodwaters have eased in New South Wales. For those along the Clarence and Wilsons Rivers, near Grafton and Lismore, the focus is now turning to recovery.

Tom Nightingale has the story.

TOM NIGHTINGALE: From their vantage point at the pub at Ulmarra, today Edwina Baird and others have seen the Clarence River drop. The town is also near a flooded swamp, and local residents know the smell will set in soon.

EDWINA BAIRD: It's okay now and in about four or five days, once the swamp goes down between here and the coast, which is about 30 kilometres, it's just - yes, the rotting debris is quite pungent.

TOM NIGHTINGALE: Edwina Baird owns the pub, and she and others are exhausted from days of lifting heavy sandbags. But the work isn't over.

EDWINA BAIRD: Pretty much cleaning up yards, hosing down pavements - the Council are here hosing the street now, but generally it's just going to be a bit of a 'take things down if they've got them up high'.


EDWINA BAIRD: Everyone is very relieved. There might be one or two people who are a little bit disappointed and going, 'Oh, didn't think it'd be that high', but in general everyone is - you know, no loss of life.

There may have been a bit of loss of stock, but I think we're pretty lucky, compared to everyone in Queensland, I think we all go, 'yes, well, that was lucky. Lucky we're not in Bundaberg'.


RICHIE WILLIAMSON: Ulmarra has taken a bullseye hit, and just about every other resident who is on the floodplain outside the levee systems has taken a direct hit.

I flew the area today to get a bit of reconnaissance about the recovery, and I have seen property after property inundated. I've seen house after house inundated. This is a big event that should not be understated.

TOM NIGHTINGALE: As the cleanup begins, a new warning is out. There are fears some floodwaters have been contaminated with sewage, and that people cleaning up could be infected.

Dr David Durheim from New South Wales Health is telling people with cuts or abrasions to avoid the water completely, and for others to wear gloves or wash their hands after contact.

DAVID DURHEIM: So basically anyone in the community, anything that's come into contact with floodwaters, should be potentially considered as contaminated with sewage, and that includes all sorts of things - things in the garden, utensils that people might be using, things that people are actually tidying up - all of this could potentially be contaminated with sewage.

TOM NIGHTINGALE: As the water recedes, thousands of people are still isolated. And today the SES (State Emergency Service) received the first calls for emergency food and medical help.

The SES estimates some people could be isolated for up to a week if they're in rural areas where roads or bridges have been cut.

SALLY SARA: That's Tom Nightingale reporting.