Mould-fighter to take on 100 extra staff to fight ‘unprecedented’ number of infestations this season

Tens of thousands of people have battled flood-induced mould outbreaks. But the worst is yet to come, an expert warns. WORST MOULD INFESTATIONS

Melanie Whiting, Kaitlyn Smith and Crystal Fox

6 min read

March 11, 2022 - 1:15PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

‘Absolutely unprecedented’: Lismore battles to clean up after flood disaster

Gold Coast

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Residents in southeast Queensland are being warned to prepare for an “unprecedented” extended mould season brought on by floods, rain and humidity.

Tens of thousands of people across southeast Queensland and northern NSW have battled flood-induced mould outbreaks.

But the founder of Gold Coast company MouldMen Gerard Murtagh said homes in areas that have never experienced water damage or mould before could be impacted.

“This is all down to the weather events we’ve been having and high humidity,” he said.

“Historically, the mould season is usually the winter months from April to October. This season is going to be one of the worst we’ve ever seen. This is unprecedented.”

Gerard Murtagh from MouldMen

The MouldMen founder said his staff had experienced a 500 per cent surge in requests over the past week.

He expects to grow his team from 70 people to 170 by Christmas to deal with the influx of jobs.

WHAT IS MOULD AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Mould is a type of fungus that feeds on moisture and energy.

Mr Murtagh said growth smaller than a dinner plate could be treated with grocery store mould cleaning products, But bigger outbreaks required professional help.

The best way to prevent mould from growing in the first place is to ensure proper ventilation, regular use of bathroom exhaust fans during and after shower use and regular use of the dry cycle on home airconditioners.

Mycologist Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, known as “the mould lady”, explained mould spores are everywhere around us, but they don’t settle to grow unless the conditions are optimal.

It thrives in moist conditions that lack ventilation, so the flooding and heavy rainfall has created the ideal conditions for it to grow.

Asthma Australia has urged people to check their homes for mould growth on walls, windows and furniture.

CEO Michele Goldman said: “If you’re having difficulties with your breathing or other asthma or allergy symptoms lately, this could be why.”

Cold-like symptoms including sneezing, blocked nose, coughing, shortness of breath, itchy eyes and headache could be an allergic reaction to mould spores.

People with asthma should not be present when mould is being removed and safety gear should always be used.

- with Adelaide Lang

Mozzie blitz, 1000 potholes filled: Flood recovery in your suburb - March 9

Gold Coasters have tried to dodge a mozzie plague, 1000 potholes, 69 damaged roads and 70 landslips in the wake of last week’s floods.

A Gold Coast City Council army of 280 maintenance staff have been tasked with restoring parks, barbecues, roads and playgrounds.

Mayor Tom Tate said the city had launched a mosquito-spraying blitz.

“We started fogging (Tuesday) in Pacific Pines and Oxenford (around Studio Village),’’ Cr Tate said.

“Merrimac will receive fogging around the floodplain suburbs as long as the rain holds out. We are assessing the northern suburbs and will start aerial treatment next week, providing the rain has gone.’’

The 69 roads damaged during the big wet, 13 of which were significantly damaged, contributed to the city’s $10m clean-up bill.

“Most of these were in the southern part of the Gold Coast. Repair works are complete on roads that sustained minor damage,” Cr Tate said.

“Planning is now under way for repairs to those most impacted. These include Syndicate Rd and Petsch Creek Rd.

“Of the 70 landslips, most have been rectified but there are some major slips in central and southern Gold Coast. This includes areas like Neranwood and Austinville.

“It has been widely reported that one bridge in Tallebudgera Valley was badly damaged. This repair may take several months.”

Residents are urged to use the City APP to report any local damage including potholes.

Canal homes at Bundall inundated by flood waters. Picture: Navarone Farrell

Gold Coasters leading Mud Army 2.0 - March 5

ELITE sportsmen, social media stars and everyday Gold Coasters are thanking emergency services for stepping up after six days of working in the front lines trying to help flood victims in northern NSW.

Surf legends Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning and Bede Durbidge are among thousands of locals chipping in, often seen ferrying supplies and carrying out dicey rescues on jetskis and boats in the wake of this week’s horror delgue.

Surfer Bede Durbidge Civilian-led efforts are underway in the wake of the devastating floods across Northern NSW. Picture: Andy Mulville

The team behind Currumbin’s Cornerstones Stores who largely spearheaded the civilian-led recovery, have since inspired masses of volunteers to lend a hand.

After frustrations were boiling over at the apparent lack of support from the Morrison Government, Cornerstone Stores were approached by ‘bigger people in charge’ on Saturday after six days of working on the front lines.

On Saturday morning Cornerstone Stores posted to their Instagram story showing the reality of what it was like.

“We have mums with kids in charge of emergency calls, rescues, helicopter and boat mission,” they said.

“@Lukecon40, @narellelangton, @nayhoney, @tazzydurbidge, @mishcanning, @hannahsheppard, @cornerstone — stores they haven’t slept or eaten, we are sitting in the hear with ice packs on our necks and heads.

“Basic spreadsheets and a make shift desk outside.

“(We are at) breaking point.

“How long can we continue to do this?

“We have now got calls to send supplies to the army.

“Why are we in charge of this?

“SEND HELP!”

It looked like their call for help was heard by emergency services after ‘bigger people in charge’ including police, fireman and ambulance services arrived at Cornerstone store headquarters and took over their operation effective immediately.

“Thank you so much to our community for the donations,” they said.

“We are so overwhelmed and grateful for our community’s support.

“We have been triple-0 emergency services for everyone for 6 days now.

“We are a small group of people who car, but we needed help from bigger people in charge and they are taking over our operation effective immediately after we brief them and give all our intel.

“Hold all donations that you have, and you can send them to the new location at 98 Blundell Blvd, South Tweed from Sunday,” they said.

Currumbin’s Cornerstones Stores’ Instagram appear to have been shadow banned (when content will only appear to people who follow you) which was their main line of communication about donations.

No phones, no food, no fuel: Flood victims at breaking point

Gold Coast TV presenter and producer Jess Skaratt said they were glad to see official help from emergency services after six days.

“What a mammoth mission accomplished by our incredible community, initiated and co-ordinated by a phenomenal group of humans with no emergency service experience,” she said.

“The amount of area that was covered to deliver food, water, medical and personal hygiene kits, nappies and baby formula to stranded people in remote locations, is mind blowing.

“So proud to have played a small part in helping,” Ms Skaratt said.

She said she was disappointed to see Instagram had shadowbanned Cornerstone Stores after all they were doing.

“The team from cornerstone stores who are organising all this, have been shadow-banned on Instagram,” Ms Skaratt said.

“Does the government want to silence their calls for help?”

Instagram sensation and ex-love island contestant Shelby Bilby has also been delivering essentials throughout Mullumbimby, Ballina, Lismore and the Byron shire areas.

Ms Bilby on Friday and Saturday travelled to Evans Head and Woodburn on a “mission” to deliver supplies to the communities, navigating through what used to be people’s yards to access the main river.

She said to her 46k followers on Instagram, once they offload the supplies, trucks would take them to the Church where it would be equally distributed.

“The locals were telling us that everyone was punching in the streets because they were so low on food and people were stealing each other’s fuel,” Ms Bilby said.

Check here for how to claim disaster payments if you’ve been affected.

She was disappointed to see there was little to no emergency services helping those who were stranded: “It’s disgusting the lack of support available,” Ms Bilby said.

“The only police I have seen are the small town police trying to distribute food that we (the community) are dropping off to them.

“(There is) no other emergency services, None!”

She hoped her coverage on the deadly disaster would give perspective to the rest of Australia.

“Having everyone’s support is so beautiful and it’s so lovely to see the community come together the way it has,” Ms Bilby said.