Lower Hunter councils prepare to mop up expensive storm damage bill

The Advertiser

20-05-2025

MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill.
A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events.
"Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said.
"To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage.
"It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts."
A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover.
Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets.
The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils.
Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million.
A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network.
"The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said.
"At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area.
"Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways."
The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible.
City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve.
The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well."
The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday.
While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic.
Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours.
Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park.
Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees.
The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety.
"We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said.
The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system.
Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase.
Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate.
"There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said.
"Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter."
In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs.
A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure.
"Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said.
"As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users."
A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event.
The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe.
Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline.
MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill.
A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events.
"Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said.
"To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage.
"It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts."
A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover.
Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets.
The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils.
Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million.
A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network.
"The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said.
"At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area.
"Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways."
The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible.
City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve.
The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well."
The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday.
While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic.
Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours.
Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park.
Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees.
The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety.
"We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said.
The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system.
Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase.
Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate.
"There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said.
"Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter."
In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs.
A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure.
"Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said.
"As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users."
A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event.
The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe.
Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline.
MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill.
A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events.
"Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said.
"To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage.
"It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts."
A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover.
Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets.
The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils.
Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million.
A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network.
"The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said.
"At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area.
"Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways."
The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible.
City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve.
The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well."
The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday.
While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic.
Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours.
Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park.
Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees.
The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety.
"We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said.
The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system.
Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase.
Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate.
"There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said.
"Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter."
In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs.
A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure.
"Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said.
"As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users."
A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event.
The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe.
Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline.
MURKY floodwaters that have inundated the Lower Hunter are expected to leave local councils with a costly repair bill.
A Natural Disaster Declaration is yet to be made in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland or Port Stephens, despite days of heavy rainfall creating crater-like potholes and submerging roads across the region.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp thanked NSW SES and Marine Rescue volunteers for their efforts amid this week's deluge, and said he had been in touch with the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Mr Crakanthorp said the authority had been liaising with councils across the Hunter in light of recent weather events.
"Councils have been requested to estimate damages and apply for a natural disaster declaration," he said.
"To be eligible for a Natural Disaster Declaration, there must be a coordinated multi-agency response and at least $240,000 worth of damage.
"It will be with the City of Newcastle to assess and estimate impacts."
A Natural Disaster Declaration gives affected communities access to a range of special assistance measures to help them recover.
Measures can include concessional loans or grants for businesses, not-for-profits and sporting organisations, transport subsidies, restoration of essential public assets and counter-disaster operations like protecting individual homes or public assets.
The May 2025 NRMA Funding Local Roads report shows City of Newcastle's infrastructure backlog was $6.2 million in 2023/24, one of the lowest among Hunter councils.
Over the past seven years, the council has had an average infrastructure backlog of $15.7 million compared with a regional average of $243.5 million.
A City of Newcastle spokesman said recent heavy downpours and above-average rainfall continued to affect the road network.
"The declaration of a natural disaster is a decision made by the NSW government based on assessments undertaken by relevant emergency and recovery agencies following the storm event," he said.
"At this time, City of Newcastle is unaware of a declaration being made for the area.
"Should a formal declaration be made, we will ensure residents and local businesses are informed of any available support and funding pathways."
The council spokesman said that, in the meantime, the council was focused on maintaining critical infrastructure, helping impacted residents and supporting emergency response agencies where possible.
City of Newcastle has already started patching potholes where possible, with a full assessment of the damage to be undertaken when weather conditions improve.
The council spokesman said initial indications showed roads across the Newcastle local government area were "holding up reasonably well."
The usually tranquil blue waters of Lake Macquarie were a brown and choppy mess on Tuesday due to the continued downpour that's dumped 141 millimetres of rain since Monday.
While there have been road closures due to flash flooding, the wind gusts of up to 44 kilometres per hour are proving the most problematic.
Lake Macquarie City Council has received 30 tree requests in the past 48 hours.
Several dangerous incidents of fallen trees were reported, including on Wangi Road, at Wangi Wangi, on Sunday night, and, on Monday, a tree blocked access to the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park.
Council staff worked with SES volunteers to clear the trees.
The council's manager of city works, Matt Brogan, said the clearance of trees would be prioritised for safety.
"We expect this number to significantly rise over the coming few days as wind increases and given saturated ground conditions," Mr Brogan said.
The continued downpour is also impacting Lake Macquarie's drainage system.
Council has received 145 drainage requests for May, almost double the total between January and April. That figure is expected to significantly increase.
Mr Brogan said the council's pothole backlog was under control, but he expected the roads to deteriorate.
"There will definitely be an increase in potholes over the coming few weeks; at this stage, the roads tend to be holding up OK," he said.
"Our roads are in reasonable shape still, but there will definitely be a bit of catch-up soon with potholes and potentially some heavy patches as we go into winter."
In Cessnock, formal damage assessments are expected to be undertaken in the coming days to provide a clearer picture of the extent of the damage, as well as the scale and scope of required repairs.
A Cessnock City Council spokeswoman said that, if the damage met the criteria for a natural disaster declaration, it would request assistance from the state government for the council, affected residents and repairs and restoration of essential infrastructure.
"Cessnock City Council is actively working alongside emergency services and relevant agencies to manage the impacts of recent and ongoing severe weather, including heavy rainfall and localised flooding across our LGA," she said.
"As part of our emergency response, council is monitoring road conditions and implementing temporary road closures where necessary to ensure the safety of residents and road users."
A Maitland City Council spokeswoman said it was not in a position to respond to questions due to the ongoing weather event.
The spokeswoman said the council's focus remained on supporting the community and keeping people safe.
Port Stephens Council did not respond before the Herald's deadline.