A week ago, on December 21, the Bellingen Shire and much of the surrounding region awoke to scenes of devastation after a violent storm sliced through the countryside overnight.
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While much of the debris has now been cleared, the scars are still everywhere to be seen … patches of fresh dirt, exposed rootballs, piles of branches or sawdust, where trees recently stood.
Incredibly, although many were seriously inconvenienced by the blackout that followed, no-one was hurt.
Essential Energy and Bellingen Shire Council crews were on the job almost immediately, working tirelessly to repair damage to the electricity network and open as many roads as possible.
The storms left 60,000 homes and businesses across Northern NSW without power, most for 24 hours, but others for much longer.
Essential Energy Regional Manager North Coast, Ross Berry, said that following the initially restoration of power in Bellingen, due to the devastating impact on large trees and branches in the area, subsequent damage to the electricity network occurred causing a further unplanned power outage.
“Crews from Grafton, Maclean, Casino and Tamworth, assisted local crews with restoration works with power being restored to the Bellingen community just in time for Christmas, at 10.45pm Christmas Eve,” Mr Berry said.
“Despite a well-earned rest, local crews went on to assist with the restoration efforts in the Greater Taree area and continued with clean up work in Bellingen on Boxing Day.
“Essential Energy thanks customers for their patience … and wishes everyone a safe and happy New Year.”
LATEST: Bellingen Council’s Deputy General Manager Operations, Matt Fanning, said all shire roads were now open however some hanging branches and and other clean up was still required in Bellingen.
“Of note is the Hospital Hill area and some open spaces. Council staff are still on the job,” Mr Fanning said.
“Council will be applying for disaster relief funding for this event – while the full costs are not known at this stage but could be run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
He said the council was grateful to all those residents who got in and assisted in the clean up. Assistance also came from Nambucca Shire as well as private contractors, whose timely response was critical to reopening roads in preparation for the holiday season.
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Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
