Supermarket giant Woolworths takes to the sea, water to reach flood-stranded communities

The supermarket giant is going to great lengths to get essential supplies to communities stranded by the devastating floods.

Woolworths is going to great lengths to get supplies to people stranded by the NSW floods, even hiring vessels to reach customers on the other side of a river in the Blue Mountains.

With the communities of Bilpin and Kurrajong cut off by floodwater, the supermarket giant sent two barges carrying more than $5000 of supplies for locals across the swollen Hawkesbury River.

Woolworths said the donation of milk, meat, vegetables and baby food would help sustain residents until road access was restored.

Days of continuous rain led to dozens of communities being declared disaster zones. Picture: David Gray/Getty Images

Bilpin was cut off by the North Richmond Bridge flooding and Bells Line of Road collapse.

Local couple Fiona and Nathan Germaine, who have been isolated since last weekend, contacted Woolworths about the community’s plight and helped co-ordinate the distribution from the Bilpin District Hall to residents that needed it the most.

“My husband and I realised things were dire last Sunday and moved to act quickly,” Ms Germaine said.

“It never ceases to amaze me how communities can band together to help each other out in these times of need.”

Woolworths went to great lengths to get supplies to people stranded by the NSW floods. Picture: Supplied by Woolworths

The company also took to the skies to ensure Lord Howe Island residents received their grocery orders, chartering eight aircraft deliveries to bring 6000kg of goods to the island.

Propeller aircraft are being used, as larger aircraft can’t land on the island’s short runway.

Woolworths usually delivers online orders in bulk each fortnight, picked at the mainland Lake Cathie store then placed on a supply barge from Port Macquarie.

But last week, the barge was damaged and taken out of service.

Helicopters have also been used to bring essentials to general stores in Hat Head.

Propeller aircraft were used for Lord Howe Island. Picture: Supplied by Woolworths

Woolworths also donated 16 pallets of groceries to the communities of Wilberforce and surrounds on Friday, with the truck delivery taking a lengthy inland route via Singleton to avoid flooded roads that are usually the main route into the region.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops this week to ensure the essentials people rely on get to where they’re needed most,” Woolworths NSW general manager Michael Mackenzie said.

“Our teams on the ground have been blown away by the collective efforts and ingenuity of community volunteers, the SES and Salvation Army to make all of these extraordinary deliveries happen.”

A truck has had to take a lengthy inland route to avoid flood-affected roads. Picture: Supplied by Woolworths

The retailer also gave a $100,000 donation to kickstart additional fundraising for its Support Through Australian Natural Disasters partner The Salvation Army.

In the first two days, Woolworths customers across NSW and ACT raised an additional $35,000 by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar at self-serve check-outs.

Fundraising will continue until Sunday.