Hinton residents will help better inform future flood response efforts with the support of the Port Stephens State Emergency Service under a formal agreement.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The village is no stranger to flood and what’s needed when it is cut-off with neighbour ready to assist neighbour like in April 2015 when it became an island for 10 days.
“It’s formalising a function that already exists,” Raymond Terrace unit controller David Douglas said.
“What this will give residents is the chance to undertake some training to help them in these circumstances and give them some personal protective equipment and even insurance cover if they injure themselves.”
Related reading:
A community meeting will take place on March 28 to discuss how to form a community action team which will likely liaise with the SES about what supplies are needed in times of flood or which resident needs urgent medical help.
“Hinton is a great place to trial this,” Port Stephens SES deputy community engagement officer John Thirkell said.
“We won’t know exactly what role the community action team will play until we talk to the residents are reach an agreement but one of the roles is likely to be coordinating the supply drops.
“We know from past experience that when we door knock asking people to evacuate, they know how floods work, but if they get a knock on the door from a friendly neighbour they are more likely to listen.”
Once established the Hunter SES will review opportunities to establish community action teams in other locations.
“What makes Hinton so well suited to this is they already have the knowledge and expertise,” Mr Thirkell said.
“Practically speaking Hinton has an electrician, plumber and nurse who are all beneficial people to have in a flood.”
The meeting will begin 7pm at Hinton Community Hall on Wednesday March 28.
