Push for financial assistance in Bluewater as flooded families pick up the pieces
The thick stench of mud and waterlogged furniture greeted residents in Bluewater as they returned to begin the painful clean-up process. Here’s the latest on financial aid efforts.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The thick stench of mud and waterlogged furniture greeted residents in Bluewater as they returned to begin the painful clean-up process on Tuesday.
Flash flooding on Sunday swept away people’s fences and sheds and completely inundated their homes and swimming pools.
The waters began to rise quickly at midday, so by the time the evacuation alert was sent out around 3pm, it was already too late.
Local resident Anthony Waugh said they were watching as the murky floodwater crept up from the creek and through their home.
“We were watching the level come up at the back, and then within 20 minutes, half an hour, it was up way steep,” he said. “It went through the bottom level of the home.”
Fortunately, Mr Waugh and his family had prepared for the possibility of flooding, moving most of their belongings upstairs to the second level.
“We had most stuff up because we prepared for it, and so we just lost some furniture downstairs and some cabinetry work.”
While the Waughs avoided the worst of the damage, some of their neighbours were less fortunate.
“Two houses down, I think they’ve lost pretty much everything that went through their house way steep,” Mr Waugh shared. “They got out with just a carload of personal items.”
This was not the first time the Bluewater community has faced severe flooding.
“We saw the 2019 floods, and we just hoping it wasn’t going to be as bad. It wasn’t, but it’s still been shocking,” Mr Waugh said.
Donna Lucker was at her son’s single-story home, which also backs onto Bluewater Creek when disaster struck. Within minutes, water began pouring in.
“We had everything ready, packed in the car — food, clothes — because we didn’t know how long we’d be gone,” Lucker said.
“We parked up the front, at the highest point in the yard, and we left when the water was just at the back of the house, and it was up within half an hour; we had a foot of water in the house.”
While much of the furniture was ruined, Lucker acted fast to save valuable possessions.
“We had most stuff up cupboards, but because they’re all particle boards, they all just fall apart.”
More importantly, she ensured the safety of her loved ones — including the family’s chickens. “I managed to rescue the chickens before the pen was washed away and put them in the shed, and they’re all still in there,” she said.
Despite the devastation, she remains grateful. “Everybody’s safe, and my granddaughter’s happy. So that’s all that really matters to me.”
Townsville’s acting mayor, Ann-Maree Greaney, said concerned residents who have been affected by the weather and aren’t yet qualified for Disaster Support and Recovery — like those in Bluewater — could rest assured that Townsville’s Disaster Management Group is pushing to get them financial assistance.
“The TLDMG have requested the provision of state hardship payments for a number of residents. It hasn’t been approved as yet, but we have applied, and Bluewater and Bluewater Park are in that list,” she said.
“You can rest assured we have advocated for the residents of Bluewater and Bluewater Park to the state government, we’re just waiting on a response from them.”
She said the application included all areas that had been affected by the weather recently.
“The cost of living as we know is through the roof so if we can offer those residents affected a bit of assistance, it would be greatly appreciated,” she said.
A full list of those areas that qualify for the recovery grants will be available in the coming days.
.
More Coverage
Originally published as Push for financial assistance in Bluewater as flooded families pick up the pieces
Join the conversation
Barras silver lining to impending flooding at Groper Creek
With their huts built on stilts to withstand major flooding, even the long-term residents of Groper Creek were “caught by surprise” with the relentless rain and flooding lashing North Qld. But there’s one silver (and tasty) lining among the impending inundation.
Read more
‘The worst I’ve ever seen it’: Giru’s big clean up begins
Families and neighbours in Giru are rallying to clean up their town after devastating flooding, with longtime residents calling it the worst they’ve seen. See all the photos here.
Read more