Storms Come And Go And The Scars Heal
Newcastle Herald
Saturday June 23, 2007
THE events of the past fortnight have reminded us all how vulnerable we are to the vagaries of nature.
It's hard to believe but it all started just 15 days ago (Friday, June 8) when the wild weather beached the Panamanian bulk carrier the Pasha Bulker on Nobbys Beach at about 9.15am. While the eyes of the city, and indeed the world, were firmly fixed on the amazing site of a massive coal carrier parked on one of our most popular beaches, a rainstorm was brewing that blindsided us all. More than 300 millimetres of rain fell on the city over 48 hours causing stormwater channels to overflow and sending torrents of freezing rainwater rushing down some of our best-known streets.Entire suburbs were awash and the nation held its breath. Lives were lost and hundreds had to flee. Businesses in the west, city centre and suburbs have been hit hard and, for many, it will be months before they are up and running. We owe a huge debt of thanks to many people whose acts of bravery saved many, many lives. Friday was our worst day in Newcastle but the torment was not over. More rain and high winds put our neighbours to the north in danger and the nation watched as rapidly rising floodwaters cut off townships across the region.As the long weekend ended, the crisis eased for our fair city and the clean-up began. Hundreds of volunteers from the State Emergency Service (SES) and other agencies stood alongside council staff and the healing process began.One of the first areas to receive attention was Blackbutt Reserve, which suffered severe damage. An estimated 500 trees came down in this special place and several of the animal exhibits were severely damaged. Some animals were lost although most were rescued by dedicated Blackbutt staff. The recovery of Blackbutt will take some time with picnic areas being smashed by falling trees.The council's 500-plus community buildings were also high on the list of casualties with at least 20 per cent sustaining damage. Three buildings received serious damage and will need major repairs. The city's 300-plus parks also sustained severe damage, which will take months, perhaps years, to recover. Assessing the damage is a task in itself with about two dozen council officers out checking on community assets. Getting a clear picture of how much damage has been caused to our road network will take some time. Suffice to say that the hundreds of potholes that have appeared since the flooding subsided is a pale reflection of the underlying damage to the network.The real picture of how our stormwater and drainage network has fared will also take some time.The projected cost at this time is about $11.5 million but could be much more as the assessment phase is nowhere near complete.Our first priority is to ensure community safety. For this reason, sportsgrounds and the Fernleigh Track remain closed until all hazards have been cleared or appropriately barricaded.The council's crews from roads, parks, health and environmental services, the beaches, waste services, development assessment, trees and assets are putting in long hours to get the city back on its feet and ensure community safety. Many of the indoor staff have been busy operating a call centre, organising resources, assessing damage, providing mapping and demographic data and making sure the community is informed via the media and the web. They've all been out in force putting in an incredible effort to clean up the city and my thanks go to them on behalf of a grateful city.I would also like to thank the volunteers from the SES and the various charities and a special mention to police, fire and health for their expert action.Newcastle has weathered many storms in the past. A geological storm in the form of the 1989 earthquake, the economic and social storm of the 1999 closure of BHP and now, the great storm of 2007.As in the past, our city will recover and while the scars will be evident for a while, Newcastle will again be a great place with a great lifestyle and an even greater future.Thanks to everyone.John Tate is Newcastle Lord Mayor.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald