NSW flood victims to get ‘back home’ grant to return to properties

A $1.3-4 billion flood recovery package is in the works with victims to receive thousands of dollars to move back home. Here are the details.

Flood victims would receive a “back home” grant worth up to $10,000 each to help them move back into their properties under a proposed flood assistance package.

The number of local government areas receiving financial aid would also be expanded under the jointly state and federal government initiative.

The package — which is understood to be worth up to $1.3-4 billion — was signed off by a late night “out of sessions” NSW government expenditure review committee this week.

Donna Walker's home in North Lismore was inundated with floodwater.

A flood damaged home on Zadoc St, Lismore. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Ex-NRL great Boyd Cordner visiting the Lismore Showground with rugby balls, jerseys and other gifts for the community as part of NSW Rugby League's flood assistance. Picture: Nicholas Rupolo

Students from St Madeleines Primary School in Kenthurst have donated goods for their school counterparts in flood affect Lismore who lost all their school belongings in the flood. Picture: Toby Zerna

However, it is awaiting approval from the federal government, with a government source confirming it was under “urgent consideration”.

A spokesman for Mr Morrison said the proposal was being considered “to ensure it meets both governments’ objectives to deliver immediate and longer term relief and support”.

“The Commonwealth Government hopes to finalise the details of the additional support very shortly,” the spokesman said.

Earlier on Thursday, a government source denied claims the announcement of the package was being delayed until Prime Minister Scott Morrison returned from Western Australia, stating that the proposal had only been received Wednesday morning.

“It is being urgently reviewed,” the source said.

The Wilsons River recording a height of 14.3m, with the Lismore CBD and surrounding area the hardest hit.

Lismore’s clean-up involved removing tonnes or debris and damaged goods daily. Picture: Toby Zerna

NSW residents are in the midst of the clean-up of one of the most widespread and fatal flooding events on record, which have been declared a national emergency.

The Northern Rivers region and Greater Western Sydney were among the worst hit areas affected by the floodwaters and wild weather.

Lismore has recorded 70-year floodwater records and the second highest daily rainfall total on record in NSW.

From more than half a million people being under evacuation orders to dam spills and road closures, the disaster in someway impacted most of NSW.

Some lost everything in the 1-in-1000 year flood event, with some properties swept away in water streams and landslides.

The relentless rain bomb and resulting flood claimed its first fatality on February 24 and hundreds were rescued the following week.

On March 9 Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared the NSW floods a national emergency, after nine people died in the natural disaster.

Swiftwater rescue crews rescue a man from the Uniting Church steps in Keens Street, Lismore.

SES crews rescue people who were stranded in the houses in North Lismore.

Five of the NSW flood victims were from Lismore, three from Sydney and one from the Central Coast. Here are some of their stories:

MARGE GRAHAM

Lismore country singer and local “icon” Marge Graham was found dead in South Lismore on Tuesday, March 2.

The search for Marge began following her neighbour’s concern for her welfare.

The neighbour discovered Marge’s body in her home.

The 82-year old was a familiar face within the community, having founded The Cedar Guitar Country Music Festival, hosted the Country Breakfast show on the local radio station River FM92.9 and performed regularly at nursing homes.

“Most people know her as a country music star and she’s a Lismore icon, but for us we knew her as family,” friend Susan Mills told The Daily Telegraph.

Singer Marge Graham, backed by Kay Ritchings, was a real hit with the crowds on the country music scene.

LORRAINE HYMAN

Lorraine Hyman tragically passed away after succumbing to flood waters in her home.

The 84-year old was found in her Lismore residence on Tuesday, March 2, after a member of the public had visited to check on her welfare.

The search for Ms Hyman was sparked by concerns raised on Facebook community groups for her safety from family members.

The Lismore local was one of two deaths recorded on the tragic Tuesday.

Ms Hyman was described by relatives as“such a private and quiet person”.

Stuart Bock was volunteering before he was found dead.

STUART BOCK

Stuart Bock’s death was confirmed via a Facebook post from family, stating that his body had been located in flood waters in the Lismore CBD on Wednesday, March 3.

The 56-year old was volunteering in Lismore, assisting the community with sandbagging in what is considered one of Australia’s worst natural disasters.

Mr Bock was described as having a ‘heart of gold’ by daughters Crystal and Amanda who raised concern for their father after having not heard from him since the previous Sunday.

HEMALATHASOLHYR AND BRAMOOTH SATCHITHANANTHAM

Two bodies were found on Tuesday, March 9 are believed to be mother and son Hemalathasolhyr and Bramooth Satchithanantham.

Concern was raised for the Satchithananthams, after their abandoned Mazda 3 was located in a stormwater canal at Wentworthville.

Cumberland Police Commander Detective Superintendent Paul Devaney confirmed the car had crashed into the Coopers Creek Canal on Monday, March 8, after travelling down the Cumberland Highway.

Hemalathasolhyr Satchithanantham.

Bramooth Satchithanantham.

The pair believed to be the 67 year-old woman and her 34 year-old son, were discovered in the creek near Hopkins Street.

“My heart goes out to the family and to the community. This is a mother, who we suspect is a mother, and a son. The mother was devoted to her 34-year-old son. It’s just a tragedy for all involved,” said Detective Superintendent Devaney.

Xianbin Liu went missing from flood waters in Sydney’s west.

XIANBIN LIU

Sydney delivery driver Xianbin Liu’s body was discovered in floodwaters in Sydney’s west.

The 50-year-old Beverly Hills man went missing on Tuesday, March 9 after leaving work for the day in Greendale.

The identities of the remaining three flood victims have not been published.

Among these victims is a man from South Lismore, aged 72, a 54 year-old man from Matcham on the Central Coast of NSW and a man from Byrrill Creek, 51.

In the wake of the floods, Northern Rivers residents have been pleading with the federal government to dip into its $4.8 billion Emergency Response Fund so families don’t go broke.

Anxiety and frustration is growing among residents as they fear the government won’t step up to help them financially recover in the long term.

The concerns come as Lismore City Council general manager John Walker confirmed the cost of repairs for the area would top $500 million while Richmond Valley’s flood bill would be more than $150 million.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed thatDefence officials offered NSW their help ahead of the east coast “rain bomb”on two separate occasions, only to be told they were not needed.

Originally published as NSW flood victims to get ‘back home’ grant to return to properties