Wait continues for Natural Disaster declarations for Bellingen and Nambucca

Original article ran 26 May 2015 on ABC News by Ann Barker

Two Mid North Coast Councils are still waiting to be declared disaster areas, almost a month after flooding hit the region.

Both Bellingen and Nambucca Shire Council are seeking disaster relief funding to cover repair costs from floods in the first weekend of May.

An east coast low brought torrential rain to the Mid North Coast, causing flooding in parts of Bellingen and Nambucca.

Roads, bridges and other public infrastructure were extensively damaged.

An aerial view of the Bellinger River at Bellingen after heavy rain overnight, on Saturday May 2 2015.
Source ABC News: Anne Barker

The damage bill in Bellingen alone is estimated at $4.5 million.

Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Liz Jeremy, said they still have not heard from the State Government and it is not a cost the council alone can bear.

“Councils don’t routinely budget to have that amount of money in unplanned works,” she said.

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