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While last December saw hundreds of Australians fleeing their homes from bushfire, last week saw evacuation orders for flooding issued along the northern New South Wales coast.
Thousands of residents across several regions faced evacuation their homes, many who would usually seek accommodation in evacuation centres set up in large community spaces such as schools, clubs and town halls.
But this year, emergency agencies have also had to contend with the dual crisis of the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced changes to how evacuation centres and other support services are able to operate.
In the NSW Tweed Shire, which saw evacuation warnings issued near Tumbulgum, the local council urged residents to treat seeking shelter in evacuation centres - which are open for the minimum time required - as a last resort.
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Subscriber only NEW residential lots of a Murwillumbah housing subdivision are expected to be released in the new year. Most of the Hundred Hills estate has been established for some time, but Hewittville Pty Ltd acquired the 12.58 hectares remaining of approved - but not yet developed - subdivision in 2017. There are a remaining 105 residential lots approved across the upcoming stage, and one final stage to follow. The upcoming stage will involve 36 new lots. After we purchased the site, we approached Tweed Shire Council with a proposal to change the staging of the development to deliver 36 premium lots to the market, development manager Grace Waugh said.
TWEED Shire Council s Stotts Island tip is closed today. The facility opened briefly this morning but has generally been closed this week due to flooding. A
severe thunderstorm warning is in place for parts of the Northern Rivers including the Tweed and Byron Shires. The council has advised: The council is working with the Tumbulgum community to restore sewerage services Water is being tankered to Uki because of disruptions to the village water supply The tip is closed today Household bins will be collected if the trucks can access. If your bins aren t collected - leave them out and the council will come back as soon as they can.
17th Dec 2020 3:15 PM | Updated: 18th Dec 2020 3:54 PM
UPDATE 4PM: Tweed Shire Council workers have brought the Uki Water Treatment Plant back online after two bursts of high floodwaters twice cut power to a critical electrical switchboard this week. The reticulated water supply to the village was interrupted on Monday night when floodwaters submerged the electrical equipment that powers the pumps which draw raw water from the Tweed River into the plant for treatment. Then, on Wednesday night after another burst of heavy rain, the equipment was submerged again and power was cut once more. While workers restored power quickly after both incidents, the raw water quality was not suitable for treatment due to the dirtiness of the water and amount of flood debris in the river.
The firies got stuck north of Glenreagh.
Luckily they were able to extract themselves, but their truck remained stranded.
A group of firefighters were caught in floodwaters in northern NSW.(9News)
A large portion of New South Wales remains on high alert for floods and thunderstorms.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in areas extending from Canberra to Walgett in northern NSW.
Locations that may be affected include Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Walgett, Dubbo and Parkes.
Residents in flood-affected areas in Queensland and NSW, particularly near Coffs Harbour, are today being urged to be aware as more rain is forecast to pack a final punch today before conditions ease tomorrow.