For the fourth time this year, Bellingen shire has been declared a natural disaster following the flooding of October 27. Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan said the declaration covered both Bellingen and Nambucca shires, which had suffered damage to infrastructure, particularly roads, bridges, causeways, culverts and water bores. Parts of Bellingen Shire recorded falls in excess of 300mm over the three days from Sunday, October 25 to Tuesday, October 27. Readings included Fernmount 525mm; Spickett’s Creek on the Kalang 517mm; Crystal Creek on the Never Never 486mm; and Mountain Top 312mm. Other readings for the week were: Urunga 382mm; Bellingen 331mm; and Dorrigo 238mm. Totals for the first ten months of 2009 are: Dorrigo 2985mm; Bellingen 2862mm; and Urunga 2569mm. The Schofields at Crystal Creek have recorded 3556mm to date. Mr Whan said about 500 people living along the Kalang River were isolated on Tuesday night by the closure of the Moody’s Bridge. He said a natural disaster declaration provided for a range of assistance for residents, councils and business owners who had suffered property damage. “It will particularly help ensure the councils are reimbursed for the cost of repairing public infrastructure,” Mr Whan said. Bellingen Council’s Director of Engineering, Mike Edsall said the declaration was welcome news, as always. Mr Edsall said there had been far less significant damage this time. “A very preliminary estimate of new damage is $630,000.” He said inspection of network and quantification of damage was not yet complete. “Initial response Council network and Waterfall Way $50,000; Clean up repairs to Waterfall Way $40,000; Kalang road slips (Survey/Design required) $200,000; Boggy Creek slip Waterfall Way $150,000; Timboon Road pavement damage $120,000; Repairs Justins Bridge Darkwood road $20,000; Clean up and repairs general, council network $50,000; TOTAL $630,000. Mr Whan thanked members of the State Emergency Service for their hard work to assist the community. "As always, our SES volunteers responded quickly to calls for help and have put in a tremendous effort. More than 80 volunteers have been working in the field and in other logistical roles,” he said. NSW Maritime Regional Manager North Coast, Jim Green says boat owners need to take extreme care on flood affected waterways in northern NSW. Mr Green said heavy rains in the north had affected a number of waterways including the Orara, Bellinger and Nambucca Rivers. “Recent rains have flushed all manner of debris into some of these river systems,” he said. “That creates two issues for the boating community. One is the debris in the rivers, much of it semi submerged and difficult to see, and the other is the possible damage such debris can cause to the system of navigation markers. NSW Treasurer, Eric Roozendaal has announced stamp duty relief for people replacing vehicles they lost during the recent floods in Bellingen and Nambucca. Mr Roozendaal urged motorists whose cars had been written off by floods to contact the NSW Government’s Office of State Revenue to see if they are eligible for a stamp duty refund on their replacement vehicle.