Aussies help out flood-torn Lismore by booking Airbnb

Australians are extending a helping hand to devastated Lismore locals, similar to how the world is helping Ukraine - here’s what they’re doing.

Thoughtful Aussies from all over the country have extended a helping hand to devastated locals in Lismore by booking accommodation in the battered region – despite having no plans to visit anytime soon.

Similar to what is underway in Ukraine — where there are reports of bookings from across the world by patrons with no intention of checking-in — Air BnB hosts on the flood-ravaged north coast say they’ve already received similar reservations from those looking to help.

Host Valerie, who rents out a granny flat at Girards Hill near the Lismore CBD, said she has already receiving bookings from residents across Australia using the booking platform to pump financial support into the community.

“Amazingly I have had people from other areas in Australia booking a night and saying they have no intention of staying but wanted to make a contribution (and) donations to people impacted,” she said.

Marie Hainaut and daughter Helene at their Phyllis St home in South Lismore in the aftermath of the devastating floods. Picture: Jason O'Brien

Another host, Jen, said she’d already lost bookings and was planning on using her property to house displaced families in the coming months.

“(But) on the plus side, someone booked a night’s accommodation yesterday, and when I went in to reject it, there was a message saying she didn’t intend to come and stay, just wanted to contribute (money) to the community in our time of need … she wished us love and sunshine. That’s exactly what we need,” she wrote.

It comes after widespread reports of citizens from across the world booking up rooms in war-torn Ukraine as a method of pumping money directly to those on the ground.

Lismore Business Chamber president Ellen Kronen said the tactic was a “great idea” to help support the gutted town.

“The Air BnB is actually a great idea and I know it’s been discussed because there’s a housing crisis here and that’s been made worse by the flood,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

Ms Kronen said pubs and hotels in the town were already looking at throwing open their doors to those left homeless by the disaster, but many were still without power and required fire and safety checks to be cleared for habitation.

“People aren’t joking when they say it’s like a war zone. In the CBD, it was devastation,” she said.

The scene in South Lismore in the aftermath of the devastating floods. Picture: Jason O'Brien

Federal MP for Page Kevin Hogan, whose Lismore office was inundated with “eight to ten feet” of water in the floods, said locals and those looking to help would have to be “very innovative in our recovery” given the long-term rebuild required for the shattered township.

“This is not a day, week, or month long issue … it’s a multi-year recovery,” he said, directing other fundraising efforts to Lismore’s GivIt website.

“It is a war zone. This is our Cyclone Tracey. We’re all still in a bit of shock and traumatised.

“No one could prepare or plan for this so we’re going to have to be very innovative in our recovery.”

Air BnB late last month announced it would offer free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, to be funded by the company and donations.