Two of the complaints you hear as you walk around the CBD block are landlords not helping with building restoration and the lack of available tradies. This is the same for renters of residential homes as well as commercial properties.

The shortage of tradies is not helped by the lack of accommodation in town as motel owners and operators were smashed in the February 28 mega flood.

The Lismore App today spoke to three motels to find out how close they are to reopening their doors.

The news was extremely positive with two reporting they would be open within the month and one was already open, The Wilson Motel. All were prioritising and supportive of tradies and those helping, or in need, of housing. 

David Mumford, owner and operator of The Wilson Motel on Ballina Rd, said his dog alerted him on the Monday morning of February 28, when she jumped from his bed, and landed with a splash. He had his list of guests next to his bed, and with the help of a young man on the floor above, they successfully evacuated to the highest point, all guests, including 7 children. David said “The response of the community that day was just incredible. My main priority was ensuring my guests were safe.”

(David with one of the Corporate Rooms at The Wilson)

David said it was because of the exceptional response from the young man on the day of the floods, that he was now a member of staff, and that the housekeeping crew of incredible women were the reason he had made the harder decision, to continue on and rebuild.

"The most disappointing thing was being looted for the coins on our washing machine, causing approx. $4500 in damages," David said.

(David's damaged machine at The Wilson, a result of looting)

"We have had to replace every single air conditioner, all bedding, carpets, furnishings, spa pumps and lights, kettles, everything. Having to deal with the incredible bureaucracy of Services NSW, with business grants that we were so grateful to hear of initially, now become something that just makes me want to scream, with having to provide more and more evidence, with nothing to show for it still, I applied in March!"

"It’s because of my wonderful staff that I made the hard decision to stay and rebuild, they have been so wonderful, it’s what’s kept me going." 

(Staff at The Wilson working tirelessly to get the rooms ready)

The Wilson is supporting some displaced families and tradespeople but rooms are available, though 100% occupancy won't be achieved until mid-June.

Similarly, Luke the manager of the Comfort Inn (202 Molesworth Street), was challenged by almost all rooms being damaged, aside from 4 which they are currently using to house the tradespeople who are working on their rebuild.

Luke says if Motels can work together to share tradespeople and resources, to house them, then the town and the accommodation providers will all be back up and running sooner, something David and Gurjot from The Bounty Motel all agreed with.

Luke said after the first flood it was just so hard to get people to help with the cleanup, and building supplies. He reached out to local members, and had some help from the ADF but said there was just not enough support from the State Government for this community to rebuild adequately. He has been called constantly by tradespeople, and large companies trying to find rooms for their workers, so he plans to prioritise these in the next 2-3 weeks as they reopen.

S & S Nahal, and their Son, Gurjot, had a lease holder running The Bounty Motel (241 Keen Street). They reportedly abandoned the place after the first flood, so their family is working overtime with tradespeople coming up from their hometown in Coffs Harbour to ensure the business can be up and running soon.

They are partially open, with rooms available now, and will take bookings via walk-ins, with the other half of their 41 bedrooms ready to be let out at the start of June. The restaurant and other facilities will follow soon after.

(The Bounty is close to completion but has a whole floor of 4-star rooms available now)

Gurjot said he had spoken with a renderer, who he had engaged after a quote, who asked him for 13 rooms for his team, The Bounty at that stage had not yet reopened. 

(One of the Queen Suites at The Bounty, open as of today)

Gurjot said they are open to cutting rates and helping the community, whether it's for tradespeople who need accommodation while they work to rebuild the businesses and homes of Lismore, or those who have been displaced and need accommodation. At this stage, the best thing for people wishing to book is to walk in and speak with the managers, but they will be back online within a week, taking bookings electronically once again.

All three of the motels are well on their way to providing over 100 beds within days and weeks, so please spread the word to the tradies you speak with from out of town. If industries and the community work together, as David from The Wilson and Luke from the Comfort Inn so passionately suggest, we can get Lismore back up and running sooner with visitors spending money in our city.