The army was sent to help with a gigantic clean -up effort after floods have wiped out at least 400 houses on the east coast of Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Tuesday’s Australian staff would be sent to help with recovery and clearance efforts.
“The presence of ADF staff on the ground brings enormous confidence in communities that are really difficult,” he told reporters on Monday.
“It is a sign of how seriously we take as a nation what a catastrophic event is.”
Ex-rugby player who lends a hand
Former Rugby League player Matt Adamson is one of the volunteers who are affected by flooding communities in NSW that helps.
Born in Tare on the Midden-Noord coast, which has worn the victim of fatal floods, Adamson described the area around the city as “destruction”.
Ex-Rugby League player Matt Adamson said he felt “emotional” and witnessed the flood damage in his hometown. Source: SBS News / SBS
The ex-Penrith Panthers-star rode at night from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to help with cleaning up and said that he felt “emotionally” to see the aftermath of the floods first-hand.
“It was a wonderful place to grow up and be raised as a young child. So there are many good memories and good memories,” he told SBS News.
“So to come back and help a hand here, I think, is really important. And I am sure there are many other people who do the same.”
Need greater support
On his ride down from Queensland, Adamson bought raking, gum boots and other much needed supplies for the local population.
He plans to stay in Tare for three days, in every way he can help before he returns to his family.
“More support is needed. Only the basic principles such as tools and gum boots and just simplistic things like that,” he said.
Albanian told communities that were affected by floods that all three levels “have received your back”.
He confirmed that 70 Australian Defense Force staff would be on the ground on Tuesday, ready to help the local population along the Midden-Noord coast.
A team of 100 disaster relief Australia employees would also be active in the area towards the end of the week.
“They will be involved in cleaning up, removing debris, welfare controls and repairing critical infrastructure that is so important for these communities,” said Albanian.
A disaster recovery allowance of a maximum of 13 weeks in income support will be available for affected communities from Monday.
More than 32,000 people remained isolated on Sunday evening by flood water, and around 400 property are as habitable or destroyed, according to the NSW State Emergency Service.
But communities can experience a new weather threat in the coming days.
A cold front with strong winds from 60 to 80 km/h on Monday and Tuesday can hinder the repair efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
