Northern Rivers Disaster Recovery

The BDC Global Group have teamed up with Rotary to supply much-needed temporary housing to Northern NSW residents displaced by the 2022 floods.

In a bid to ease the housing crisis, the organisations will help fund the supply of 12 modular ‘pop up’ homes. These are set to be constructed and delivered to Lismore by the middle of May. Local trades businesses and community members will then supply the materials and labour to get them move-in ready as soon as possible. Many residents of the Northern Rivers are currently making do with short-term emergency accommodation, living in cars or staying with friends.

This community-based program is designed to meet their immediate needs, as well as support residents in the difficult transition back to normal life.

Rotary District 9780 incoming Governor, Kathy Rivett, from the Alfredton Rotary Club in Ballarat, says the organisation is looking forward to continuing to support people in flood-ravaged regions in NSW and QLD.

This community-based program is designed to meet their immediate needs, as well as support residents in the difficult transition back to normal life. The BDC Global Development team is committed to be working with Northern Rivers locals to bring this community program to life:

The challenges facing flood-affected residents are immense, due to the sheer scale of the disaster with many residents are struggling to meet their daily needs, while trying to restore internet access and negotiating insurance claims. Organisations trying to assist them are forced to navigate layers of red tape, with longer-term housing solutions requiring detailed planning.

This is where quality, cost-effective, on-the-spot modulars come into their own. Designed as flat packs, the units are easy to transport and assemble onsite. Each features separate shower, toilet and vanity, with small kitchenette and outstanding thermal ratings. They can also be connected to existing power, water and sewerage on sites where the dwelling is uninhabitable, making them an extremely flexible option.

The BDC Global units are being produced locally in the Northern Rivers area, providing critical stimulus to the local business community as it recovers.

In the words of Nimbin Building Materials’ Ruben Mack, who is one of the businesses assisting with the program: “We are a family business supplying the Northern Rivers area. We connected with BDC Global to establish how we might be able to support them with what they are doing here. It’s great to see a company like this put a big emphasis on supporting local business.”

The heavy human toll of the 2022 flood disaster is immeasurable. Having spoken to local residents about their experiences, everyone at BDC Global is appalled at the level of human suffering. Among those the company hopes to support are:

Ray Parry, an elderly man with intellectual disability. Ray had to be rescued from his rental house, and has now lost all his possessions. A very caring person, he helped raise donations for victims of the Black Summer bushfires. His carer, Dan Jones, is now assisting the community program.

Mark O’Toole, a valued member of the local community. Mark is busy galvanising support for the community program, despite his family losing everything they own to the floods, including the beloved family dog. In the rescue and recovery process, Mark also tore the tip off his thumb, while breaking three fingers and the ribs on his right side.

Tina Ashcroft and Nathan Rose, a young family and their seven children. Tina and her family lost their home at Coraki, despite it being located above the one in 100 year flood level. They had been couch-surfing with family before they resorted to a tent to be less of a burden. They were eventually forced out of that after a second flood. The stress has been enormous, and was compounded when pregnant Tina went into labour seven weeks early. While mother and son are now fine, it was touch and go, with the baby being flown to Queensland for specialist treatment.

BDC Global Group (Building Developing Communities) has extensive experience in disaster recovery. The company specialises in helping communities survive and thrive in the face of the most challenging disasters and critical incidents. We have created the BDC “Northern Rivers” Fast Box home for residents of the Northern Rivers disaster designed for easy assembly to provide a fast, secure and comfortable shelter solution.

VIEW THE NORTHERN RIVERS FASTBOX

Following the 2019 Mount Ulawun volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea, the team found emergency shelter for 8,000 locals in less than 12 hours. Over subsequent months, they helped communities produce a range of affordable and sustainable housing, adapted to local conditions.

Housing support can help to ease the physical, financial and emotional burden inflicted by the floods. Modular units are perfect for residents wanting to stay close to their home, landlords needing to provide habitable options, and anyone wanting to offer financial support during this ongoing crisis.

Modular units are perfect for residents wanting to stay close to their home, landlords needing to provide habitable options, and anyone wanting to offer financial support during this ongoing crisis.

The program would love philanthropist organisations with local connections to the Norther Rivers region such as Twiggy Forrest from the ‘Minderoo Foundation’ or the ‘Myer Foundation’ to jump on board and support this wonderful community program.

Donations from corporate businesses and individuals will go directly to helping people who are in desperate need of housing in Lismore. To offer financial support for the community program, please make your donation to Rotary to the Northern Rivers Rebuilding Project.