Flood victims still in limbo

By Jonathon Howard

ELDERLY RESIDENTS impacted by the February 2022 flood are living in limbo and still waiting desperately for resolutions to their flooded homes.

Many have been forced out of the Tweed Shire and are sleeping rough in caravans, in tents, or even their cars, awaiting key decisions around insurance, government funds and reconstruction.

Many are desperate to get back into their homes and restart their lives, including one such case in that of Nette Hilton and her husband Ron.

The couple’s home at 15 Tamarind Avenue in Bogangar was heavily impacted by the 2022 flood and she’s still awaiting a final resolution on the property.

Nette said she’s desperate to return to their beloved home, but fears a lack of trades and materials, combined with increasing costs, are contributing to the delays in the reconstruction.

“It’s almost been a full year since the devastating flood,” she said.

“I’ve found myself in Toowoomba living in the backyard of my daughter’s property in a caravan.

“Ron has Alzheimers and moving him has created its own issues, including the costs which was $2,000 to move him to Toowoomba and that’s not refundable.”

Nette said of all the hardships she’s endured in her life the 2022 flood “takes the cake”.

“I’ve never been homeless in my whole life,” she said.

“I was a school teacher for 40 years and combined that with publishing as an author.

“Ron and I have owned our home outright since 1983 and we are devastated we cannot move back to the Tweed, as the property cannot be financed in its current state.”

Despite many attempts to work with financial institutions, Nette has been unable to gain finance that will allow her to move on.

“I honestly don’t know why banks cannot go onto my property and see the potential as collateral,” she said.

Nette has heaped praise on her insurance company Suncorp, who she said has stepped up straight away to assist her.

However, the breakdown appears to be the connection to the building groups.

“I believe a lack of workforce in the building sector combined with a backlog of jobs is placing greater pressure on flood victims,” she said.

“I was fully insured prior to the flood.

“I think we need a backup plan, some -