NSW Flood Victims told to leave their emergency accommodation

Flood victims across the Northern Rivers have been pushed out of their emergency accommodation after being asked to leave for holiday-makers determined to press ahead with Easter breaks. We talk to those affected.

Flood victims across the Northern Rivers have been pushed out of their emergency accommodation after being asked to leave for holiday-goers.

For some, losing their new temporary accommodation has provided just as much stress as the flooding event caused.

Some have been asked, while others have been told explicitly, to vacate their accommodation to make way for holiday-goers who booked for an Easter getaway.

Tekin Sawatzki is a former holiday property manager for Elders Real Estate and said holiday makers are prioritised over people who have “literally nowhere else to go.”

She said she had to contact people, asking them to cancel their holidays to make room for flood victims.

“A lot of them flatout refused,” she said.

Tekin Sawatzki is a former real estate agent and said people refused when they were asked to reconsider a holiday in flooded Woodburn.

“Their need to go on a holiday is a higher priority than people needing housing,” she said.

She said for some real estate companies, their concern was more about profits.

“Their properties are an investment.”

When asked about the situation this week, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was “disappointed” by what was happening.

“The government can do so much, we come together as a community and when events like this occur it is so pleasing to see the spirit of Australians come together.

“What I would like to see is ‘come on, let’s look after people and give support’,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I‘ll look at that, there is a balance here, but we need to ensure care and comfort for those people who have lost their homes. I will have a look at that and come back to you,” he said.

Mrs Sawatzki has a three year old child and is expecting another in six months, and said she feels very fortunate to have a place to stay right now. “We‘re unbelievably over the moon to have a roof over our head,” she said.

Entire lives had to moved into a caravan park where heavy winds, mud and rain were constantly threatening already beaten flood victims.

“It shouldn't be about the money, these people need somewhere to go. It’s not just the rain, it's the health issue.”

Just as holiday goers are adamant they will go ahead with their Easter travel plans, she said various businesses are rejecting cancellations.

She said some businesses were refusing people to cancel their holiday bookings.

Reflections Park said they will provide a full refund or credit to holiday guests who give up their cabin for flood affecting guests.

This does not include campsites, as they have claim to have “plenty of room for both flood impacted guests and holiday guests”.

“You can't catch a fish”

Greg Moss and his family of six lost their home and their restaurant in Woodburn.

They were shifted to the Gold Coast due to “unprecedented flooding and lack of supply” according to a Department of Communities and Justice spokesman.

“We've got school and a business in Woodburn,” Mr Moss said.

Greg Moss (middle) and his family of 6 have been displaced and told to go after holiday seekers claimed their bookings.

Mr Moss remains eager to head back home.

“They’re not going to do the great reset on us just yet,” he said.

He said his four children, aged between 10 and 16 feel displaced and out of routine.

“They can’t concentrate, they’ve lost their routines,” Mr Moss said.

He said now is the worst time for a holiday in Woodburn.

“It’s all dirty water – you can't catch a fish and it’s polluted with poo,” he said.

He was dislodged from his emergency accommodation due to holiday bookings.

“That’s business. Investors want their money. It is what it is,” he said.

“We really don’t know when we’ll come home.”

Greg’s wife, Petcharat Moss “AE” is left with a huge clean up after their home and takeaway shop flooded in Woodburn.

“We have no idea what’s next”

Whitney Kinnear is 44 and stayed at Reflections Caravan parks as a necessity.

Despite being a loyal member for over 20 years, she was placed in the lowest part of the park.

“It was so muddy,” she said.

She said she was given two weeks notice to leave for incoming holiday-goers that had booked.

Whitney Kinnear is 44 and needed emergency accommodation at Reflections Caravan parks. She had been a loyal member for over 20 years, yet she was placed in the lowest part of the park.

“The campsite was unusable. The SES had to come and help tie down our tarps when the wind came,” she said.

She said the caravan park staff or maintenance team did not offer her any assistance.

She said she has “no idea” what’s next for her.

“We feel so unwanted”

Kerrie Mann, 51 just moved to Woodburn. She hadn’t even slept a night in her new place before losing everything.

She ended up at Reflections in Evans, and said they couldn’t extend her stay as they were fully booked.

Their justification was “Easter Holidays”, but Mrs Mann said cabins are unoccupied even though flood victims were told to leave.

The messy conditions at Reflections Caravan park in Evans Head. Photo: David Wilson

Reflections Park said this was not the case and that “all available cabins have been offered to displaced guests”.

Mrs Mann said everyone she knows has either been asked to leave or will have to go between 8-14th of April.

“God knows where they are now.”

She said the experience for her and her 16 year old daughter has made her feel isolated and unwanted.

“We don't want to be here, we feel so unwanted.”

Kerrie Mann, 51 had to relocate her whole life into a caravan park where heavy winds and rain were constantly threatening her.

“There’s no help”

Andrew Herry, 52 is on disability pension and had just come out of hospital with a kidney stone operation when he received a text to evacuate Buckendoon.

He spent the night in his car, alone.

His partner passed away just a month ago.

“It’s devastating. I don't know what to do.”

He said flood victims – particularly with disabilities and pets have been treated poorly.

He was told upon entry that he could only stay a few weeks.

Due to having pets, many flood victims have found it difficult to secure accommodation.

“Where's the compassion? We’ve had homes and lives and things we’ll never retrieve again,”

“There's no help.”

“We have dogs for a reason – they’re our companions.”

“It’s not festive here at the moment.”

Jonathan Mulcahy slept in his truck up the hill near Evans Heads after more than 2 metres wiped through his property.

He has been told he has to leave emergency accommodation on Monday to make room for holiday-goers

“Unless I want to stay in a caravan in the yard,” he said.

He said holiday-makers should consider if a holiday is worth it in Evans Head right now.

“There’s no reason to be here right now. The beaches are sh*t, the water is filthy,” he said.

“It’s not festive here at the moment.”

Reflections park said they are “working to reallocate cabins to flood-impacted guests where we can”.