Coopernook farmer Elaine Rose believes the Manning River entrance at Harrington should be attended to before the entrance at Old Bar's Farquhar Inlet.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She made these comments after her home was flooded during the disaster in March on the Mid North Coast.
Elaine said there is excessive sand build-up at Harrington.
"I feel Harrington should be attended to and dredged before Farquhar, because Harrington is the main entrance," she said.
In theory, Elaine claimed there shouldn't have been flooding in the Harrington/ Manning Point area given its proximity to the river entrance and the ocean.
She also understands the need to 'get the balance right' and sort drainage issues at both entrances.
Elaine's home, situated near the Lansdowne River, was inundated with water. While the flooding was bad, its inability to drain was worse.
While water at farms and properties at Oxley Island, for example, was easing two days after the flood, it was still at peak level at Coopernook.
Elaine said the back water wasn't draining due to the extremely high volume of water downstream flowing to Harrington.
She has lived through many floods at the property, including the ruinous 1978 event.
Water subsided within 14 hours during that flood but took about double the time in March.
Despite the move, Elaine said the water didn't stop rising and was still inside her house on the Sunday afternoon.
Elaine was evacuated by emergency services and taken to Cundletown.
She returned a few days later to survey the damage and discovered water was still over the road and at her front gate.
This heightened her concern for how long it took for the water to recede.
The farm was prepared as much as it could be for the flood, she said. A floodgate and walkway for the cattle was previously installed.
"Environmentally, we were set up as much as possible," Elaine said.
All cattle survived on the property.
"We turned all these heifers on the hill together to fend for themselves, they were high and dry with scruffy grass," Elaine said.
"I'm glad I live where I do because it would be devastating to see your cattle go down the river."
Investigations into the plan to permanently open both river entrances continues.