We were one of the many to have our beautiful home in Mullumbimby wrecked in the devastating February floods and are in temporary accommodation. Even with insurance the psychological effects this event had are inconceivable and affect our family daily.
With many locals suffering from PTSD caused by the disaster, the full psychological impact this had on our town and others in the region has not been addressed by government with no support helping communities navigate their way through this traumatic event.
We all love our town and have dedicated years to building a unique community and a place to call home. It will take years to get Mullumbimby back to its former glory. With predictions of more unprecedented rainfall this summer, seven months after this disaster the effects are still greatly affecting the community. Most houses in our neighbourhood remain empty with many owners being forced to sell their homes. Is it fair that our beautiful community is broken owing to this lack of support?
Promises made by government following the 2017 NSW floods have not been met and many believe this inaction added to the devastation in February.
With the growing threat to communities throughout Australia associated with changing weather patterns globally wouldn’t it make sense to come up with strategies for prevention such as grants for house raising?
We have neighbours in their late eighties living alone who suffered extreme shock and loss in these floods who have no financial means of raising their homes. The government should at least be supporting pensioners during this stressful journey.
I have been surprised at the lack of locals protesting against the points raised above and was shocked at how few attended a community meeting held recently to address concerns. I understand the impact a disaster like this has on one’s morale and energy levels. When your home and sanctuary are taken from you like this and your life turned upside down, dealing with the stress takes its toll.
Most affected do not have the bandwidth to fight for one’s rights as a taxpayer, a resident, a member of the community, who like you probably trusted that help would come in a tragic event such as this.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
