Last week, the Lismore App ran a story about Woodburn North residents feeling isolated and left out of the Lismore LGA (link at the end): “Living on the wrong side of the river and feeling forgotten.” 

There are a few examples dotted around the LGA, such as parts of East Coraki. Through conversations, it appears this is not an isolated experience, even within the city itself. People have voiced the feeling that attention has not been distributed evenly, especially since February 2022.

Lismore City Council have answered our questions to give us a glimpse into what actions have been undertaken and what changes have been made to ensure this feeling of isolation is minimised in the future. We found out why, at least in Woodburn, that this information is not getting through.

The 2022 floods were an unexpected event that would have caught out any resident in any place that was vulnerable to flooding. The challenge since has been to ready our first responders, community and most importantly, ourselves as to how to navigate these incidents and recover the best way we can.

A spokesperson for Lismore City Council said, “Since the devastating natural disaster in 2022, the Lismore City Council has been unwavering in its commitment to support communities across the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA) through targeted recovery initiatives.

“Central to these efforts was the 2022 Flood Appeal, which successfully raised and distributed over $1.7 million to flood-affected residents across the LGA.

“Collaboration with Resilience NSW, Lismore City Council played a crucial role in disseminating essential information through printed flyers distributed across the LGA. Council also helped establish and provide staff support to the Southern Cross University Recovery Centre, and extended assistance to recovery hubs in Nimbin, Woodburn, and Goonellabah.”

Much of the works done was behind the scenes and happening over time, which does not help the situation of “now” when you are in a damp residence or business.

Council also reports that, “In November 2022, Lismore City Council further supported recovery across the LGA by onboarding two funded positions for Community Recovery Officers (CROs). These officers have conducted rural outreach focused on flood, storm, and landslip-impacted rural communities, farmers, isolated communities and community halls.”

“Council has organised or supported more than 45 rural recovery events across the LGA, from the border areas of Cawongla, Broadwater, Woodburn, and Repentance Creek to Ruthven, Wyrallah, South Gundurimba, Numulgi, Nimbin, The Channon, Whian Whian, Jiggi, Rock Valley, and Goolmangar.”

All kinds of events have been staged, from direct recovery needs and outreach to celebrated community events like fairs.

“They provided residents with access to support services, information, grants, and recovery programs while also gathering feedback to communicate the challenges faced by rural communities to state and federal authorities.”

In Woodburn, two events have taken place; a Weeds Workshop and Recovery Bushdance. 

Chrissie Allen was one of the badly flood-affected people we spoke to in last week's story (link at end). Chrissie had no knowledge that these events had taken place and said, “Have they happened already? Community events are hugely important to rebuilding our strength and union, but I haven’t heard anything.”

Council has its outreach methods, however channels may be stymied at times of flood and in border towns. Chrissie has not received any leaflets or Lismore Council newsletters. She does receive the Richmond Valley Council newsletters. We surmised that her postie picks up his council letter box drops for the larger population on the other side of the river. Lismore council newsletters and information are not delivered to this part of the LGA.

“I think advertising the help that they have available by door knocking or to try and spread the word a lot more. Because a lot of things I only found out second hand through people who had already known somehow themselves - heard from someone else.” 

We discussed the possibility of council information at the Woodburn Hub, but Chrissie does not recall seeing anything there, “ I think it's one of those things, unless it's presented to you personally, you don't kind of register it at the time because you're in a bit of a haze from all the trauma and everything you have to do.

“A door knock, at least for those hardest hit, is vital.”

On the topic of councils' flood recovery events, she said, “It's a great thing to know that these happen. We need that connection and to catch up. 

“I think there are still a few people out there that would prefer to forget the whole thing now and kind of move on. But in saying that, I think any community event is great. I think we need more of them.”

When I spoke to Chrissie this weekend, she was painting as part of her post-flood recovery effort. It is understandable that things are missed when you are preoccupied with building back. We have supplied links below to help you find an established communication channel to tap into.

Council's statement continued, “Council's efforts and outreach have been reinforced by solid partnerships with Uniting, Social Futures, Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre, Red Cross, Rural Aid, Headspace NSW, Richmond Landcare Inc., and many more. 

“We've also worked closely with local governments in the Northern Rivers and relevant NSW state agencies to ensure rural communities receive timely information and access to essential services.”

Lismore has a good understanding of the effects of floods within its city. Now, it is looking at those effects in the further reaches of the LGA. This may have made outlying villages feel less knowledgeable, but there are plans in place to change this.

“In 2023, Richmond Valley Council completed the Richmond Valley Flood Study, which included comprehensive flood modelling for the southern portion of the Lismore LGA. This data was integrated into Lismore City Council's flood information portal in March 2024, allowing residents south of the Lismore urban area, including North Woodburn, to access detailed flood levels for the 1% (1 in 100), 0.2% (1 in 500), and probable maximum flood (PMF) events. This information is publicly available at Lismore's Flood Data Portal (link below).

For more information on what a PMF is, refer to this recent story on the weather and preparation.

“Historically, Lismore's hydraulic flood model was limited to the urban area due to inadequate topographic data, which restricted accurate flood event modelling. 

“However, with new access to high-quality LiDAR and bathymetry data from CSIRO, we are now actively extending our flood model to cover the entire LGA. This enhancement is underway and expected to be finalised within the next six months.

“Lismore City Council remains dedicated to advancing our understanding of flood risk across the region and ensuring that all communities have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information.”

Council has been doing a lot of work in flood recovery and building rectification. However, the real work on roads is only just beginning. Perhaps Woodburn will get some more visible attention in this phase of recovery.

Links and Further Information

The story from last week that prompted this article.

Call or email councils Community Recovery Officers with enquiries to this address: recovery@lismore.nsw.gov.au

Here is a list of resources to tap into to keep yourself informed:

Councils flood recovery newsletters

Local Matters - Lismore City Councils regular newsletter

Recovery resources recommended by council

You can follow Councils socials - Facebook or Instagram

Or you can get involved and have your say

Lismore's Flood Data Portal

Below is a list of flood recovery events that have already been held across the Lismore LGA:

• Whian Whian 2-year anniversary event 
• First aid training series of events 
• Whian Whian community recovery hall event
• Accidental Counsellor training
• Jiggi Valley: Ping Pong, Pizza, & Recovery Readiness
• Rock Valley: Ping Pong, Pizza, & Recovery Readiness
• Whian Whian: Ping Pong, Pizza, and Recovery Readiness 
• Wyrallah Hall: Ping pong, Pizza, and Recovery Readiness
• Lismore LGA Sim Table demonstration 
• CHaRGe quarterly meeting 1: Whian Whian Memorial Hall
• Repentance Creek Hall: Community information and CRT launch 
• Channon - community radio network procedure exercise
• CHaRGe quarterly meeting 2: Jiggi Hall 
• Jiggi Valley Spring Fair
• Nimbin Show
• Weeds Workshop Woodburn Hall
• Farmers Night Out Rock Valley
• Dunoon Farmers Night Out 
• Aussie Farmers Barber, BBQ event – Ruthven Hall 
• Woodburn Community Recovery Bush Dance
• Craft and a Cuppa Recovery morning tea - Ruthven Hall 
• Community gathering - Barber, BBQ and BlazeAid - Ruthven Hall
• Recovery Christmas party - community gathering Keerrong Hall 
• Bexhill outreach doorknocking with Red Cross
• Farmers Night Out Ruthven
• Goolmangar/Keerrong outreach doorknocking with Social Futures and Uniting Recovery Support Services 
• Cawongla Landslip Information night
• Goolmangar Community Recovery event/Flood mapping with SES
• The Channon Disaster Resilience Bush Dance - Recovery support 
• Farmers Night Out Numulgi 

• Dunoon Community Get Together Recovery event
• South Gundurimba Community Get Together/Flood mapping with SES
• Nimbin Landslips Information night 
• Dungarubba/Broadwater and surrounds Community Get Together night - SES, Red Cross, LLS 
• Engagement with Lismore LGA community hall committees 
• Channon and Nimbin AirSeed community workshops
• Jiggi Valley – Community Day 2023
• Primex – Recovery stall 2023/2024 
• Nimbin Anniversary event 2023