Community information for people evacuated from Stuarts Point homes

Published on 31 March 2021

What must happen before you can move back in?

The priority for the multi-agency response is to get people back into their homes, however each property needs to be assessed to ensure that the house is habitable and that the on-site sewerage system is functioning and can accept effluent.

There is still water rising into parts of the Stuarts Point exclusion zone. Manual pumping of this water will occur 24 hours a day while it continues to rise however this will continue to have an impact on several homes.  

If your home is no longer affected by rising ground water and is within the exclusion zone there are criteria that need to be assessed before your home can be declared safe to live in and the evacuation order removed.

Those criteria are:

• Is there water on the site?
• Has the home been inundated?
• Is the home structurally sound?
• Is the septic system for the home operational?

Fire and Rescue, NSW SES and Kempsey Shire Council are working together to ensure every affected home is deemed safe before people can return. 

How do I find out when my house is safe?

The results from inspections are being collated daily. When your home has been assessed as safe you will be contacted and advised that the hazmat tape has been removed and it is safe to return to your home.

At some properties there may be a short-term requirement to pump out septic tanks until such time as the onsite system can operate normally. This pumping will be organised via the multi-agency response efforts, in addition to the ongoing pump work to reduce the ground water levels.

Everyone who was evacuated was expected to register with Disaster Welfare on Friday night, whether temporary accommodation was required or not.

If your home is in the danger area and you have not registered your contact details, please complete the form available from Disaster Welfare at the Information Session or contact 137 788. Alternatively visit the Recovery Hub, 57 Elbow St West Kempsey, between 8:30- 4:30 Monday to Friday. Please make sure these contact details are provided by 4:30pm Thursday 1 April, 2021.

How long will it take?

The circumstances for each property are different and as such it is not possible to provide an estimate for the overall timeframe. Some homes will be declared safe within the next few days others are much more severely affected and may take additional time or may even be declared uninhabitable. 

How do I clean up safely?

Please check the fact sheets on Waste and Health After a Flood to ensure you understand the requirements for cleaning.

All equipment or surfaces that have been affected by floodwaters need to be cleaned (e.g. empty refrigerators and cupboards). Hard-surfaced floors, walls, benches and sinks should be thoroughly cleaned with hot soapy water and then disinfected by wiping or spraying surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution or a product labelled as a hospital grade disinfectant. Once disinfected, allow to dry. Always wear gloves and protective clothing and do not touch face or eyes while using disinfectants.

For further information refer to the Staying healthy during and after floods fact sheet

What if I don’t have accommodation or need to change accommodation?

Please call the Disaster Welfare after hours line 137 788 to arrange accommodation.

Where do I get help on general flood recovery?

Residents across the shire recovering from flood can access the Recovery Hub, located at 57 Elbow St in West Kempsey weekdays between 8:30-4:30pm.

Teams from Kempsey Shire Council, Services NSW, NSW Health, The Department of Primary Industries and various charities are available under one roof at the Recovery Hub.