Many local governments continue to struggle for the recognition they need to access emergency assistance and funding for disaster recovery. The rural town of Ungarie in New South Wales experienced the worst flood in its history on March 4th 2012, with 72 homes and businesses inundated and 115 properties isolated when the Humbug Creek broke its banks.
When an evacuation order was issued on March 4th, and in the absence of Family and Community Services (FACS), Bland Shire Council stepped in to establish an evacuation centre in the West Wyalong Sports Stadium. More than 20 evacuees slept at the Stadium on the Sunday night while others stayed with family or friends or in motels. An elderly couple, unable to sleep at the Stadium, were given a bed for the night at the West Wyalong Hospital.
On the Monday night a FACS representative arrived and arranged for evacuees to be accommodated in motels. Some of the evacuees remain in temporary caravan park accommodation in West Wyalong and will remain so for several months.
Given the severity of the flood, Bland Shire Council has applied for Ungarie to be classified a Category C area, meaning that financial aid can be provided for temporary accommodation, and grants made available for up to $15,000 for affected businesses. However, The Shire Council remains frustrated that nearly two months down the track, the classification has not been granted and the much needed funding and assistance remains out of reach.
Bland Shire Council General Manager, Ray Smith says, “A lot of surrounding councils have already been classified in this C category, which means that the people in those areas have been given the advantage of the cash handouts and other support. We had over 72 homes and businesses inundated with water at Ungarie and there are people who are suffering at the moment.”
In the meantime, BlazeAid (a volunteer organisation set up after the 2009 bushfires) has stepped in to assist with urgent repairs and recovery, with Council playing a key role in facilitating the organisation’s arrival and accommodation in Ungarie. Council has also donated $5000 to help cover the cost of the volunteers’ meals. And, there is no doubt that, without BlazeAid’s help, many Ungarie farmers and businesses would be sustaining even greater losses.
Bland Shire Council has been vocal in its frustration at the delay in classification but so far the complaints seem to have fallen on deaf ears. The situation in Ungarie has highlighted some glaring issues with the process of receiving disaster relief, and the town is not alone. Councils all over Australia are relying on volunteers for clean up and repairs, which also highlights the crucial role these groups play during and after a natural disaster.
