Northern NSW flooding: Dominic Perrottet to arrive in Ballina

“I’m not sure if my home is here”. Ballina Shire residents have started being allowed back to their flood-ravaged homes as others wait for clearance to learn the scale of destruction.

Ballina residents are beginning the cruel and gruelling journey of returning to their houses after thousands of people were evacuated during a devastating flood.

Many parts of West Ballina remained flooded on Friday morning while the CBD waters were slowly receding.

Ballina resident Robbie Liew had spent the past three days in evacuation.

He braced himself for a return to his River Street home on Friday.

He had no idea what to expect.

“I’m not sure if my home is there,” he said.

“But before I came out, outside was flooded but inside is alright.

“But now I’m not certain.”

Robbie Liew remains cheerful despite not knowing what awaits his River St home after evacuation. Picture: Tessa Flemming

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet met with Ballina State Emergency Service volunteers and the public on Friday where he commended the community volunteers who had stepped up.

“What we've seen here in Ballina is the great Australian spirit,” he said.

“We will get through this and the long journey of the rebuild begins.

“Some of the people behind me have also lost their homes and they’re here and have been here for five days, six days during that period of time, not looking after themselves, looking after the people in their community.”

He said he wanted to see residents back in their houses as soon as possible and defended claims he was yet to visit Lismore.

“My job of premier as well is not to get in the way,” he said.

“I’ll be on the streets there tomorrow.”

When told of a pregnant woman who was stuck in roof at Lismore, only receiving a call back from triple-zero on Friday, Mr Perrottet was left stunned.

“That’s completely unacceptable, that shouldn’t happen,” he said.

“I will look through that but clearly that is unacceptable.

“That shouldn’t happen.”

Emergency Services minister Steph Cooke will also be appointed Flood Recovery Minister in light of the tragedy.

Ms Cooke said more than 900 government officials had entered the region in the past 24 hours to assist in recovery.

Ballina State Emergency Service unit commander Gerry Burnage said he had been overwhelmed by the community and thanked his team for putting their “lives on the line”.

“It’s a real pleasure and an honour to serve such great communities,” he said.

“I’ve been in the SES 38 years here...but this has been overwhelming for us all, (I) never ever expected what we’ve seen here in the last week.”

He previously told residents, on Thursday, that State Emergency Service volunteers had rescued close to 2000 people.

Ballina MP Tamara Smith praised the community as the “real heroes” as she crossed party lines to applaud Mr Perrottet and Ms Cooke.

“I believe them when they say that they are listening to us, that they’re going to take action on the gaps in the future,” she said.

“I’m certainly not going to forget those gaps.”

Gallery: Ballina starts recovery from floods

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Rous County Council has assured the public Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore and Richmond Valley is once again suitable for drinking.

Ballina Shire Council is yet to announce if residents can return home but have provided tips for flood clean up, as seen below.

Ballina Fair has announced it would be open from 7am on Friday, with Woolworths and select specialty stores offering fresh food.

However, ATMs and Eftpos machines are still down in centre.