Federal election: Woodburn contemplate candidates after flooding

Small towns across the Northern Rivers were devastated by this year’s floods and many residents now feel abandoned by the government. See how the flood impacted their vote.

The impact of recent flooding in the small town of Woodburn is visible everywhere.

Shops are boarded up, houses remain vacant and pot holes the size of lakes engulf passing cars.

For residents of Woodburn the government’s response- or lack of - is the deciding factor in this year's election.

Local business owners, desperate to rebuild and recover are divided in how the floods will impact their voting habits.

Daniel Simpson has lived in Woodburn for 15 years where he runs the local pub, Rod n Reel.

When the pub became submerged in water , he considered packing up.

“We definitely thought about leaving,” Mr Simpson said.

But he knew if the pub left - so would much of the town and its buzz.

“The town dies without a pub,” he said.

Mr Simpson wanted to give back to the community which had given him and his family so much over the last 15 years.

As Woodburn tries to get back on its feet, business owner Daniel Simpson (left) and staff members Tegan Marritt and James Kerr are happy to be reopened.

“We’ve made a living thanks to the Woodburn community, so we thought we could be a light of hope if we got this place running again,” he said.

He said this years vote is swayed by the government's response to the flooding and he is angry with how the Coalition managed the aftermath.

Woodburn has been considered one of the “forgotten towns”

“The government response has been poor. I still haven’t seen any money,” Mr Simpson said.

He predicts a million dollar loss, including $200,000 in stock and kitchen gear.

Yet, after two massive floods in a month — Simpson and his staff have now reopened.

Rod n Reel is a place where laughs and stories of flood disaster can be shared over a beer, with a community that have all been through the same thing.

“Everyone that lives here is affected. We were given donations that were a vital hand up,” he said.

Local community members came in numbers and assisted the rebuild: even from as far as Newcastle.

“It really spurred us on seeing all the help,” he said.

It hasn’t been without its lows and Mr Simpson said he has worked seven day weeks nonstop.

“I still have moments where I wonder if I’ve poured money in for no reason - but there are more good days than bad,” he said.

Mr Simpson said the rain impacts mood around the town now but is grateful to have the finances to keep the pub – and the town alive.

“We’re hopeful we’ll be getting government assistance,” he said.

Mark Waters, 54 has been in Woodburn since the 70s, and said he never considered leaving, even after his cafe needing a full new renovation.

“We got straight back into it. It’s definitely been tough but the community came together,” Mr Waters said.

His cafe “River Coffee” collapsed after the initial flood.

Cruelly, the town was hit weeks later as people began rebuilding and repairing.

Mark Waters with his cafe “is still suffering after the 2022 flooding. Business owners desperately try and rebuild having lost everything.

“It’s hard to come back and face what you have to face,” he said.

“We’re trying to look at the bright side – it’s a fresh start for us” Mr Waters said.

Although many are unable to afford a fresh start – he was satisfied with the government response but worries about insurance. He is satisfied with the government’s response and is keen to move forward.

“I’m happy with how the government reacted, but I worry about the insurance” Mr Water said.

He – like many in the town, remain determined to “beat” the floods.

“There was amazing help in the community,” he said.