Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges that parts of Australia have been affected by fire, floods and storms during the recent summer period;

(2) recognises the support the Government has given in response to these disasters;

(3) also recognises the outstanding work of emergency services, the Australian Defence Force and volunteers in supporting victims of these natural calamities; and

(4) offers support to the victims of the fires, floods and storms and will do all we can to support our fellow Australians in their time of need.

For many communities across Australia this has been a challenging summer. Time that should be reserved for family has been interrupted by fires, floods and storms. Our government is working with the states and local government to offer support and assistance.

My electorate was not spared. On 15 December severe storms hit, centring on Cherrybrook and West Pennant Hills. Trees and powerlines came down and homes were crushed and many across the electorate were without power and internet for days or, in some cases, weeks. Then, five days later on 20 December, another storm hit. Berowra, Cowan, Berowra Heights and surrounding areas were smashed by hail the size of golf balls. As the storm hit I was at Cowan visiting the Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai Fire Control Centre. My car was damaged and it would take until the middle of the year before it was repaired, but I know that, compared to many, I got off lightly.

As the clean-up began the next day, I visited the SES command post at Warrina Street Oval and spoke to the SES, RFS and New South Wales Fire and Rescue officers. I was also talking to residents and inspecting homes. I made the case for disaster assistance funding to the federal minister for emergency management, which was granted. I visited the command centre on Boxing Day and again on 28 December to thank the volunteers who'd come from all over New South Wales to help.

On 24 and 25 of January, I organised with Minister Reynolds to visit the electorate and speak to people about their experiences. On 6 February I attended the Berowra insurance forum and heard insurance companies and builders talking in person to constituents about their claims and repairs.

The Berowra hailstorm was severe. Within minutes, roofs, cars, awnings, skylights and solar panels were destroyed. It's estimated that emergency services workers gave 23,000 hours to Berowra over nine days, including Christmas Day. Volunteers came from as far as Lightning Ridge and Broken Hill.

I want to share the words of one of my constituents, Maureen Maddison:

I was moved to tears as I drove to the local shops on Christmas Eve. The entire length of Barnett's Road into Berowra Waters Road and Turner Road was lined on both sides with volunteer bush fire brigade and SES vehicles from all over Sydney and even further afield. These amazing volunteers were giving up their Christmas Eve to ensure that all of our houses were protected by tarps before Christmas.

When the unexpected happens, we discover what our communities are made of. The stories from those days are of neighbours looking after each other. I heard about Denis Greene siliconing his neighbour's broken tiles before looking after his own, and Maureen Good cooking her 86-year-old neighbour Christmas lunch after his kitchen was destroyed. I have been told about Michael Solomon, a roofer, working tirelessly in the heat. He encountered a python in one roof and was stung by a nest of wasps while repairing another, but still went out of his way to take an older lady to an insurance information session.

Using Berowra's community Facebook page, the SES called for spontaneous community volunteers to help with the sandbagging efforts. Over 200 Berowra people volunteered, freeing up SES resources to get back up on roofs. This is now known as the Berowra model of volunteering. Those stories show Berowra's spirit, and it's that spirit that makes me so proud to represent that community here in parliament. I want to acknowledge those SES and RFS leaders who headed up the operation in Berowra: Reinould Beijerinck, Rolf Poole, Tony Hine, Craig Woon, Chris Mawn, James Logan, Murray Oakley, Andrew McCullough and Adam Jones. These are a few of the hundreds of people in Berowra who deserve our thanks.

We're now two months on from the storm, and Berowra and Berowra Heights are a sea of tarpaulins. People under unstable roofs or in temporary accommodation continue to wait for answers about how long repairs will take. It seems there are simply not enough tradespeople to manage the repair effort at present. It will be a long time before life gets back to normal for many. Students are now studying in homes that have become building sites. Businesses are struggling with nowhere to operate from. Families are unable to enter asbestos-affected homes to retrieve basic goods. Some people will be out of their homes for over a year. There are no easy solutions. We need to remember that a disaster doesn't end when the TV crews go or the crisis is over.

The reports of insurance companies are varied. Some are doing great work. For others, the experience has been disappointing. I call on insurance agencies to provide such excellent service that they become as well known for their dedication as the emergency services that responded over Christmas. It's your turn to ease the pain that people in Berowra are suffering.

In Berowra, we have faced some challenging blows. But many say it doesn't compare to what people in places like Townsville are experiencing right now. One phrase I have heard dozens of times is, 'I've been lucky; some have had it much worse.' This summer will be remembered by many as a very hard one. It will be life-defining for some families. It will be remembered as a summer of hardship and loss, but also as a time of incredible community spirit.

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