Taree small business owners are left high and dry as government denies disaster flood aid

Small Mid-North Coast business owners say they have been left “crushed” following the devastating May floods as the state government refuses to bump up flood aid except for farmers.

The rally at Taree. Picture: Supplied.

Small business owners have rallied to call on the state government to provide desperately needed disaster relief for those devastated by May’s record-breaking flood on the Mid-North Coast.

The rally of around 50 people was held at 11am on Sunday in the town of Taree outside the flood-destroyed shop that housed Nadia’s Art Gallery and Gifts, where the owner Nadia Zarb had to be rescued from the awning after the nearby river broke its banks.

Ms Zarb said she organised the rally because of the community’s plight.

“I have heard so many stories, so many people coming to me, so many tears, it just gets to you,” she said.

“I am heartbroken by the stories I have heard. You can see how people are broken. Why are we left behind? It’s just crap.”

Ms Zarb's view from her awning as rescuers responded to her call for help during the flood. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Nadia said the flood “wiped her out”.

“My whole building was smashed and broken. I can’t reopen,” she said around $200,000 worth of stock destroyed.

The aftermath of the flood in Ms Zarb's shop. Picture: Supplied.

Category D disaster relief, which is initiated by the state government but also needs federal government backing, was announced earlier this month for the region’s primary producers.

However, small businesses can only apply for Category C assistance, which amounts to staggered payments up to $25,000, rather than the $50,000 available under Category D.

Ms Zarb was bewildered that only farmers got the full assistance.

The rally outside Nadia’s store. Picture: Supplied.

“How can they pick and choose? We have all been in the same flood,” she said.

“It’s like saying you’ve been a naughty child, you get in the corner, you are not allowed to be helped. But because you are good over there you can be helped. It’s bulls**t. We have just been left hanging.”

Taree Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Fawcett said denying Category D went against the precedent set by the preceding Coalition government..

“We have had a one-in-500-year flood hit Taree in late May, compare that to 2021 when we had a one in 100 one and we received Cat D within a week,” he said.

Mr Fawcett met with the NSW Minister of Recovery and Small Business Janelle Saffin on Thursday last week.

“She said Cat D was still on the table, still there to talk about but currently the government can’t see the exact need for it to be released and can’t afford it,” Mr Fawcett said.

Ms Saffin said she is working “with all stakeholders, including the Commonwealth, to assess what additional support may be needed”.

“This is in addition to the millions of dollars already spent assisting with clean up and public asset restoration that help businesses recover better and get their doors open again faster,” she said.

“My door is always open to the local community representatives, and I met with various small businesses in Taree and Kempsey last week to hear first-hand what they think can be improved.”

View between Ms Zarb's building and below Mr Webster's. Picture: Supplied.

At least 10 Taree businesses have closed because of the flood and Mr Fawcett said he knew of around 10 to 15 teetering on the edge of packing it all in.

“In the grand scheme of the government giving out money it is not a huge amount, about $5 to 6 million,” Mr Fawcett said.

“We are trying to give these businesses hope to come back to something.”

Craig Webster owns the 260 sqm shop next to Ms Zarb’s gallery.

Floodwaters almost lapped he ceiling of his property and all that is left of the interior are wooden frames, with the previous tenants, a massage business, going back to Sydney.

The inside of Craig Webster's flood-gutted shop. Picture: Supplied.

A second shop housing Mr Webster’s mobile phone business on Victoria St was also inundated, destroying stock and general equipment as it was put out of action for two weeks.

“I was thinking I was doing the right thing. Get an investment property. Get ready for retirement, not be a burden on the community, fund myself, not now,” Mr Webster said.

Craig Webster shows the height floodwater reached at his Victoria St building. Picture: Supplied.

“Every time I apply for funding they tell me to borrow the $160,000.

“I am 63, so then I have to work for 10 years to repay back the loan. I can’t do it.

“Not only do we feel neglected and crushed, we also feel like criminals because when we apply for funding they knock you back.”

Ms Zarb said she had heard many similar stories of flood aid denied.

“They are making it very hard,” she said.

“I lost everything and they are asking for paperwork that was in the flood and aren’t being even a little lenient. There are so many weird stupid rules.”

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