ANTHONY KLAN
AAP
Northern NSW rough sleepers who made camp at cyclone Alfred evacuation centres will soon be out on their own again, with the NSW Premier drawing a “very clear and understood line”.
Premier Chris Minns said evacuation centres set up in schools, universities, gyms and clubs could not serve as a long-term fix to entrenched housing problems in the region.
“I am fully aware of the significant challenges for housing in the Northern Rivers, but evacuation centres are not permanent solutions … we don’t have the resources, the staffing, the time, the allocation,” he said.
The centres would close in all areas once local emergency orders were lifted, Mr Minns added.
“So I want to apologise in advance but we have to draw a very clear and understood line.”
“We have to draw a very clear and understood line” — Chris Minns
The Byron Shire local government area had the most rough sleepers of any council area in the state, according to a 2024 government street count.
When flood waters recede and temporary shelters shut, vulnerable residents face a battle to find food and somewhere dry to sleep .
Nearly 800 people have sought refuge in NSW evacuation centres but their status as pop-up homes for some will cease to exist after the impact of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred passes.
The cyclone has been downgraded to a tropical low, but its impact is still being felt, with much of northern NSW reeling from major flooding, with more wild weather forecast.
More than 10,000 people were under emergency warnings in NSW on Monday morning, while 1800 people were isolated by floodwaters.
About 10,000 homes and businesses were still not connected to power as heavy rain continued to fall in many areas.
Among those feeling the impacts were mother and son Tina and Tyson, who have been squatting in a house in South Lismore.
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Mother and Son Tina and Tyson have been squatting in a house in South Lismore. Cyclone Alfred was downgraded to a tropical low but its impact is still being felt, with the region reeling from flooding. Source: AAP/Jason O’Brien
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Lismore Monday, praising “exception strength and determination once again”.
Lismore was devastated by floods in 2022, with locals quietly optimistic they have been spared the worst this time around.
“Preparation and recovery from natural disasters happens at every level in communities,” Albanese said.
“The small business owners and community representatives I met in Lismore today have shown exceptional strength and determination once again.
“They spoke to me about how tough recovery after the 2022 floods has been and how they’re working together to build the town’s resilience,” said.
Albanese had been widely tipped to call an election at the weekend, for April 12, but ruled that out Friday night, stating his focus was on the disaster and supporting victims.
The election is now expected to be held on May 3, May 10 or May 17.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Lismore Monday. Source: PMO
Kim Kennedy, Vinnies’ regional housing and homelessness manager for northeast NSW, has been on the front lines supporting people sleeping rough in flooded zones.
Her job was made harder on Monday due to damage to Fred’s Place, the Tweed Heads drop-in centre where she is based, with constant rainfall inundating the space.
On any given day, the centre serves about 130 hot meals to those in need but showers and laundry facilities are out of commission until the flood damage is fixed.
“It has been a horrendous time for the homeless community,” Ms Kennedy told AAP.
“It has been really challenging trying to get them any type of shelter.”
She said the homeless were trying to find any dry places they could sleep across a northern NSW region already dealing with a dire shortage of affordable housing.
“We’ve been helping out an entire family sleeping in their car,” Ms Kennedy said.
“Seeing them in this horrendous weather is really awful.”
“We absolutely do have a housing problem in the Northern Rivers and we need solutions,” Ms Kennedy said.
“We absolutely do have a housing problem in the Northern Rivers and we need solutions” – Kim Kennedy
Major flood warnings were still in place for parts of the Clarence and Richmond rivers, while clean-up operations were under way elsewhere.
In Pottsville, between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay, a whale carcass was among the debris that washed up after huge swells battered the coastline for days.
Residents from 17 NSW local government areas who had lost income due to the storm would be eligible for federal disaster relief funds for up to 13 weeks, it was announced on Monday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the financial support would be backed by mental health services for affected areas.
“We’ve got your back, that’s my message to communities here,” he said from Lismore on Monday.
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