Lismore macadamia farmers impacted by Northern NSW flooding

Farmers are experiencing devastating crop losses as flooding decimates the region. Some have described the floods as the worst in memory.

Distraught North Coast farmers are bracing themselves for the financial impact of unprecedented flooding.

In recent days throughout Lismore and its surrounds, primary producers frantically drove livestock through floodwaters and started counting costs.

NSW Farmers Lismore Branch Chair and macadamia farmer Warren Elvery said there would be major losses as a result of the flooding, which was the worst he had ever seen.

“There are going to be big losses in the industry in terms of quality and quantity,” Mr Elvery said.

“We had 347mm of rain (Sunday night) and all of the work we’ve done building up our soil and getting ready for harvest could all be for nothing.

“I remember the sea of water we had back in 1974 and 2017 – this is far worse than that already and they reckon this rain could hang around a while yet.”

Macadamia farmers Warren and Pauline Elvery of Dalwood among their crop in sunnier days. Picture: Samantha Elley

NSW Farmers, the state’s peak agricultural body welcomed disaster declarations for 17 Local Government Areas affected by heavy rain and flooding in the hopes it could alleviate some pain.

Business, Economics and Trade Committee Chair Bill McDonnell said while communities were still very much in survival mode, this move would get the ball rolling on recovery efforts to come.
“We have never seen anything quite on the scale of this devastation in the state’s north, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones,” Mr McDonnell said.
“Time and again this important agricultural area has been hit by torrential rains and flooding, and we are already looking at ways to help farmers recover from the devastation.”

NSW Farmers President James Jackson on Monday called for urgent relief funds to flow.

“We are standing by our members who are living in flood-affected communities as the rain continues and we want to remind everyone to stay safe,” he said.

“As with last year’s flooding it may be weeks until we understand the full impact of these heavy rains, but our farmers and our regional people are tough and resilient, and they will get through this.”