The Taree CBD was a hive of activity on Thursday as emergency services personnel began a coordinated recovery operation in the wake of last weekend's floods.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Australian Defence Force reservists and Fire and Rescue NSW crews visited many business and buildings along Pulteney Street and Victoria Street to lend a hand.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews were busy with hoses and brooms to sweep out mud and water from buildings while the army reserve personnel assisted with heavy lifting and waste disposal.
Major Scott Babington said the reservists were part of the 41st battalion of the Royal NSW regiment, which takes in soldiers from Taree to the Queensland border.
"They've travelled from the North Coast and there's some guys from the local area as well," Major Babington said.
"The soldiers are here trying to support the local community for flood damage. All they want to do is help."
Extended flood coverage:
- A snapshot of flood damage in Taree and Wingham
- Taree City SES unit angered by flood scammers
- Martin Bridge to reopen to light traffic soon
- Wingham's 'miracle' wedding during floods
- Red Cross volunteer helps out while children were stranded
- Disaster relief funding opens
- Taree Estate, Cundletown and Dumeresq Island given the 'all clear'
- MPs thanks emergency services and volunteers
- 192 head of cattle washed away in floods
- Flood damaged waste to be collected free of charge
- Walkabout Barber heads to Taree on March 29
- Beaches closed for clean-up operation
When Major Babington spoke to the Times, the reservists were busy clearing out damaged goods and furniture from the Vinnies store on Pulteney Street.
"When the call came to step up and be part of the recovery phase for the floods I, like the soldiers behind me, all stepped up to donate our time to support the communities," Major Babington said.
"They're part of the community and the ad you see on television of civilians lifting their shirt and showing the uniform underneath- that's the image we've got behind us.
"They've stepped up to support the local community in the recovery phase."
They focused on the removal of heavy items and joined Fire and Rescue crews to hose down mud.
"There's mud down near the water front and the cenotaph," Major Babington said.
"Obviously war memorials are close to the hearts of soldiers."
In Pulteney Arcade, crews helped with the heavy lifting and removal of glass and furniture.
A Valley Industries team helped remove materials and debris from shops.
The arcade looks vastly different to the immediate aftermath of the flood. Each affected shop was gutted and cleared while the footpath was cleaned.
Major Babington was pleased to be part of the recovery operation alongside Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police and Rural Fire Service NSW.
The soldiers are here trying to support the local community for flood damage. All they want to do is help.
- Major Scott Babington
"All those organisations are working hand in glove to support the community and get it back on its feet as quickly as possible," he said.
Major Babington served in the Australian Army for 35 years and now resides in Old Bar.
Other emergency services have also assisted this week, starting with the delivery of food and supplies to isolated communities.
Excavators have worked around the clock to dig up and remove mud from the end of Pulteney Street and River Street.
River Street, which currently resembles a dirt bike track, is inaccessible while the clean-up continues.
Other work crews have spent the past two days cleaning up Fotheringham Park.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram: @manningrivertimes
Follow us on Google News
