Billinudgel’s main street underwater during the March 31 floods. Photo Jeff Dawson.
Aslan Shand
Recent heavy rains have allowed the Byron council and SES to demonstrate some of the changes that they are making in relation to flood responses in the north of the shire following the flood meeting on June 1.
During the most recent rains, ‘Water lapped the top of the driveway for two nights and then luckily the low moved north quite quickly,’ said Rebecca Brewin from Billi Auto.
She said, ‘It did, however, give us a chance to see how both Council and SES responded after the previous flood. The SES incident commander Andrew McPhee was in contact with the various business chambers to allow dissemination of warnings through the various networks as they came to hand.
‘Physically they were a lot more present in Billinudgel throughout this event than ever before.
‘Council responded by posting more warnings and road closures along with flood weather updates that are a new addition, all more detailed and frequent than in the past.
‘Considering that the response so far has only been to the threat of another event, we are yet to test the full capacity of response from both SES and Council; however, it is a very positive step forward for everyone and I am sure welcomed by the community.’
Meeting planned
The SES are planning to have a follow-up flood meeting with residents and businesses that will be announced in coming weeks.
The Byron Shire Council is also aiming to have answers to the 48 questions submitted for the flood meeting in the near future, though there is no further meeting scheduled.
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