MUD, mosquitoes, snakes, and the smell that lingers after an inundation of water are all being contended with as residents of the Moree district begin the long and painstaking task of cleaning up after one of the worst floods in more than half a century.
State Emergency Service crews, Rural Fire Service volunteers and an army of citizens are helping one another as the long and emotional job of getting Moree back to normal gathers momentum.
One of the first priorities has been to get the central business district open so the town can begin to function again and shopkeepers and residents can get their lives back to normal.
Today, Governor General Quentin Bryce will visit Moree to offer support as the multi-million dollar clean-up continues.
Yesterday the federal government announced additional disaster assistance for communities hit by the flooding.
Residents in the Moree Plains, Narrabri and Gwydir shires could be entitled to the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), which will be made available through Centrelink.
The AGDRP is a one-off payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
Those who qualify for the assistance include people whose homes have been significantly damaged, who were stranded inside or outside their home for at least 24 hours, or whose principal place of residence was without essential services such as electricity for at least 48 hours.
Moree Plains mayor Katrina Humphries said the stench that had been lingering in the northern part of the town as it dried out on Sunday had dissipated yesterday morning and was “back to bearable”, thanks to a welcome warm change in weather.
Cr Humphries said residents in the most flood-affected area, north Moree, remained in good spirits and there was an attitude of getting in and getting the clean-up done.
“As a town we are are all in this position now where we want life to go back to normal,” she said.
Yesterday more of the estimated 300 people affected by floodwaters began to return home.
“Other areas in the north have been opening up,” Cr Humphries said.
“Many of those people are returning to their homes under duress and there are still a number of people who can’t go home.
“Despite that, we are all in good spirits.”
Cr Humphries said the focus of clean-up was slowly moving out of the main Moree township now.
“Residents from Yarraman aren’t able to go back yet but, when they can we will be focusing on helping those people return home and clean up,” she said.
Food drops were continuing in outlying areas where properties are still isolated, but a number of businesses in Moree’s CBD were opening up.
“We’re encouraging that,” Cr Humphries said.
“School goes back tomorrow and Wednesday for most of the kids and that will help them feel some sense of normality too.”
Moree locals took to social networking sites yesterday to praise the efforts of the local council, with many saying the clean-up process had been strengthened because of continued in-depth information provided to residents about
services.
Regular waste collection in the town returned to normal yesterday and flood items were being taken free of charge at the Moree landfill. The Pallamallawa landfill was also re-opened yesterday.
A number of the town’s local roads remained closed and will stay that way until assessments for safety can be made.
The town’s Coles, Woolworths, pharmacy and newsagency on the north side all re-opened yesterday too. Schools will return on a variety of days this week.
Pallamallawa Public school was non-operational yesterday.
School returns there today but parents have been asked to take note, and do not cross at road closed signs.
Moree Christian School and St Philomena’s School will re-open tomorrow. The schools’ uniform shops will open today.
Years one to six at Moree Public School can go back to school today, but kindergarten students do not begin classes until tomorrow.
Moree Secondary College opened yesterday for Year 7 students and Years 11 and 12 but today students in Years 8 and 9 will return to Carol Ave and Year 10 to Albert St.
The Gravesend School bus to Warialda will start its run from the eastern side of the river, due to flood damage on the Gwydir River Bridge approaches.
Moree Preschool has been closed until further notice.
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