Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg shutdowns suggestions flood-ravaged town should relocate

He has lost his home and business. He’s also leading a flood-ravaged community through its darkest hour. Now, Lismore’s mayor provides a raw look into how he’s handling the crisis.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg might be an “emotional wreck” as he leads the flood-ravaged community through its darkest hour, but he has no interest in entertaining suggestions the town should relocate to avoid future natural disasters.

The long-time resident and business owner told The Northern Star that while many “heartbroken” operators have considered calling it quits for good, devastated after returning to their decimated shopfronts, moving the town to higher ground wasn’t the answer.

Cr Krieg was among hundreds to return to Lismore CBD on Monday, now a disaster zone lined with rubble and destroyed white goods, after the SES revoked its evacuation order only hours earlier.

For many, it was the first time they had returned to their businesses — some of them third or fourth generation-owned — since fleeing the town amid last week’s record-level flooding.

“When you see the devastation, when you live through it, your first instinct is to give up. It’s human nature,” Cr Krieg said.

“But people wouldn’t consider (relocating). It’s been considered before and that’s the reason Lismore City Council chambers are sitting up on a hill all by itself surrounded by nothing.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg meets fellow business owners as residents return to evaluate damage to the CBD. Picture: Steve Krieg

“Forty years ago people tried to do it but what you have to understand is that Lismore people love Lismore. They don’t want it to move or be taken away from them.

“Lismore has an identity all its own. I don’t believe it’s the answer.”

Cr Krieg and his wife Julianna own Keen Street’s La Baracca Espresso Bar & Trattoria. Their home at the back of the venue, shared with their three daughters, aged 14, 12 and 9, was also inundated by floodwater.

“We’ve got some beautiful people that have opened their home to myself and my family and I couldn’t be grateful for the angels who are looking after us,” he said.

“I’m an emotional wreck, but I can’t afford to portray that. The town needs a strong leader and that’s what I’m trying to be for them.

“I’m going through this pain with my community at the moment. Every time I’m down in and around my little business and my home, it hurts that little bit more. It’s going to be a long time before I’ll be sleeping in a bed in my home again.”

As electricity is reconnected to the city and works get underway to repair its sewerage system, the realisation of the mammoth task ahead is beginning to dawn on many.

“Everyone’s just exhausted, people are tired, people are starting to get a little emotional and angry with what they’re seeing,” Mr Krieg said, labelling the tragedy an “unprecedented natural disaster.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg walk through the flood-ravaged CBD. Picture: Steve Krieg

“This isn’t a flood event, it doesn’t compare to previous floods. If it was a flood event Lismore would be back in operation by now.

“There isn’t a quick fix, it’s the realisation that people’s livelihoods, their lives are literally sitting out on the footpath at the moment.

“There’s no rulebook for this. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m just a guy who makes coffee who has lost his business and his home and just wants to help as many people as he can, and that’s what I’m doing.”

A caravan sits in trees at the grounds of a Lismore holiday park. Picture: Kaitlyn Smith

Cr Krieg stopped short of criticising the delay in federal and NSW government response despite premier Dominic Perrottet admitting the state’s emergency response had fallen short.

He said about 500 Australian Defence Force personnel were on the ground though some were deployed to assist Coraki and Woodburn - more are expected to arrive in coming days.

Asked whether he managed to get any rest since admitting on the Today he was suffering insomnia, with a slight chuckle he replied: “Sleep’s for the weak.”

“I’m doing my best but how can you sleep when the city that has entrusted you to help is suffering. I feel everyone’s pain.”

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