Counting The Costs - Newcastle

Newcastle Herald

Thursday June 5, 2008

GR

WHEN the June 2007 storm hit Newcastle many Novocastrians were left with nowhere to go.

Rising floodwaters forced thousands to abandon their floating cars in city streets, thousands more waded out of their storm-ravaged homes and others could do little but close the doors on their ravaged businesses.

The heroic efforts of many who pulled victims from sinking cars, submerged buildings and the flowing torrent across city streets helped to ease the human toll.

But the storm tragically claimed the life of Adamstown father-of-two Wayne Bull, who fell into a swollen stormwater drain near Griffiths Road, Lambton, on June 8. His body was recovered in Styx Creek at Hamilton North on June 10.

Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate said the community spirit evident during the storm was, a year on, a lasting memory.

"People helping each other was remarkable and consistent with what we know Newcastle and Hunter people to be," he said.

Cr Tate said council workers and emergency services personnel also "swung into action well".

There was plenty for them to do.

Recent Newcastle City Council estimates put the public property damage bill at about $16 million.

More than 6700 council assets were damaged.

Kotara's Blackbutt Reserve was significantly damaged.

About 2000 trees were felled in the storm and animals injured or their enclosures smashed.

Among the more than 4200 instances of storm damage in Newcastle suburbs, the most severely-hit were Merewether, New Lambton, Wallsend, Kotara and Hamilton.

The worst-hit business areas included Wallsend, Kotara and Newcastle West. On top of flood and storm damage, many business owners faced more losses after looters took what viable stock was left.

The council is still cleaning up a year after the storm but all playgrounds are repaired and 90-95 per cent of damage to footpaths, drains, buildings, signs and trees is fixed.

Newcastle will reflect on last year's natural disaster at a Hunter Recovery Celebration at Blackbutt Reserve on June 21 and 22. The event, originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, was postponed due to wet weather.

Cr Tate said it was important to remember the storm of June 2007.

"A lot of people want to talk about it," he said. "And I think that's part of the rehabilitation process."

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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