Carl, Elizabeth Mills, Tristan Jones split on whether residents should abandon Lismore flood plains

The third major flood in five years is still not enough of a wake-up call to some Lismore residents who say they are committed to rebuilding near flood plains. Here’s why.

Carl and Elizabeth Mills have been married for over four decades but even after three major floods in the space of five years, they are still committed to rebuilding their South Lismore home.

Carl, a stainless steel repairer and former panel beater, isn’t giving anything away despite his Casino Street house being situated in one of the most flood-prone parts of the town.

The 61-year old lost everything when the first flood engulfed his entire home but still won’t budge when it comes to abandoning Lismore.

“We’ve been here since 1988 and we’ve been through four decent sized floods,” Mr Mills said.

“I think we will rebuild because this is our home this has been here all our life.”

His ambition and determination to renew his life and home is admirable but he admits that Lismore will never be the same.

Carl and Elizabeth Mills from Casino Street South Lismore Picture: NCA NewsWire / Danielle Smith.

“Your anxiety level goes up again because you’re not sure,” he said.

“You would have up to 75 per cent of businesses who won’t restart.”

Carl and Elizabeth Mills are committed to rebuilding in South Lismore Picture: NCA NewsWire / Danielle Smith.

Carl’s wife Elizabeth was born in Lismore Base Hospital and has lived in South Lismore her whole life while Carl moved to the town in 1970 with his mother after his dad passed away when he was nine.

Carl Mills moved the small amount of possessions he had left to higher ground ahead of the second major flood in four weeks Picture: NCA NewsWire / Danielle Smith.

While knowing the danger and hearing the debate raging about Lismore relocations and land swaps, they still don’t want to trade what they have.

Their decision to rebuild might be replicated by many Lismore residents who have rubbished the idea of relocation, among them being Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg.

Other residents simply don’t have the money or patience needed to commit to rebuilding with many fearing another major flood could make Lismore uninhabitable.

Tristan Jones has made the call to move up the hill closer to Goonellabah and away from flood plains after two years on Spring Street in Lismore.

Tristan Jones says he will not be staying in Lismore and will try and move up the hill after the second major flood in five weeks Picture: Nicholas Rupolo.

Mr Jones was born and raised in the town and now works in land surveying on the Northern Rivers, but thinks Lismore’s days are numbered.

“I’m not going to live on the flood plain now I have a choice to move up,” he said.

“Maybe we can find an answer, maybe we can’t – Tokyo they built tunnels under it their used to be floods all the time, homes are built with concrete which suffer less flood damage.’’

He understands people might want to rebuild because they have an attachment to Lismore or that they would prefer not to rent for the rest of their lives but he says that you can’t “just move the city away”

Lismore City Councillor Vanessa Ekins called on the federal government to stump up billions of dollars to help with land swaps to relocate residents who lived near flood plains.