Flood displaced residents of Dungog still awaiting permanent housing

By Ella Rubeli
Updated August 16 2015 - 11:18am, first published 12:15am
"I've got to stay positive, that's important," said Robyn Murrell, 67, who has been living at the Tall Timbers motel since her unit was destroyed by floodwaters in the April superstorm. Photo: Ella Rubeli
"I've got to stay positive, that's important," said Robyn Murrell, 67, who has been living at the Tall Timbers motel since her unit was destroyed by floodwaters in the April superstorm. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Jane and Karl Winiarczyk's house was flooded with 2.7 metres of water when flash floods hit Dungog last April.  Three months after the flood, displaced residents of Dungog are living in hotels, motels and friends' spare rooms as they wait for permanent housing. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Jane and Karl Winiarczyk's house was flooded with 2.7 metres of water when flash floods hit Dungog last April. Three months after the flood, displaced residents of Dungog are living in hotels, motels and friends' spare rooms as they wait for permanent housing. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Workmen begin to tidy up Dungog tennis courts which were destroyed when floodwaters came through last April. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Workmen begin to tidy up Dungog tennis courts which were destroyed when floodwaters came through last April. Photo: Ella Rubeli
The units of Alison Court assisted living facility were badly damaged in the Dungog superstorm. The elderly residents of the flats are living in temporary housing while they await news of their future. Photo: Ella Rubeli
The units of Alison Court assisted living facility were badly damaged in the Dungog superstorm. The elderly residents of the flats are living in temporary housing while they await news of their future. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Dungog residents Jane and Karl Winiarczyk lost nearly all their possessions when their house flooded with 2.7 metres of water in the April superstorm. They have been living behind the beer garden in the Bank Hotel since then. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Dungog residents Jane and Karl Winiarczyk lost nearly all their possessions when their house flooded with 2.7 metres of water in the April superstorm. They have been living behind the beer garden in the Bank Hotel since then. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Leonard Arnold, 82, swam out of his home just before floodwaters reached ceiling-height. He has been living at the Tall Timbers motel since his unit was destroyed. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Leonard Arnold, 82, swam out of his home just before floodwaters reached ceiling-height. He has been living at the Tall Timbers motel since his unit was destroyed. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Jean Roberston, 83, goes to play bingo every Tuesday, where she can talk with some of the other flood displaced people about her situation. She has been living at the Tall Timbers motel since her unit was destroyed. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Jean Roberston, 83, goes to play bingo every Tuesday, where she can talk with some of the other flood displaced people about her situation. She has been living at the Tall Timbers motel since her unit was destroyed. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Dungog residents Dot Handley, 75  and Lynette Dickson, 75  have been sharing a boarding house since their homes were destroyed. Photo: Ella Rubeli
Dungog residents Dot Handley, 75 and Lynette Dickson, 75 have been sharing a boarding house since their homes were destroyed. Photo: Ella Rubeli

Leonard Arnold woke with his face just inches from his bedroom ceiling on the morning of April 21 – his plastic mattress had floated up on the floodwaters that swamped the town of Dungog after a ferocious storm.

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