ABOVE: One of the vans from Camplify, not necessarily the style of the ones coming to Woodburn. Photo: Contributed
Susanna Freymark
Finally, Woodburn residents displaced by flooding can live in at-home caravans offered for free by the State Government.
The caravans will be located on residents’ private property at no cost. Each private property will be assessed during the face-to-face application process with Resilience NSW from this Monday, June 20.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the government opted to provide at-home caravans to Woodburn residents instead of a ‘pod’ village as a result of community feedback.
“The at-home caravan program will provide a safe and secure roof over the heads of locals so they can remain on their properties while they repair and rebuild,” Ms Cooke said.
The first caravans will be secured through Camplify, an accommodation company that matches caravan owners with holidaymakers, but is now helping the flood recovery effort.
Camplify’s Justin Hales said repurposing their caravan supply in this pilot program would give people a place to stay on their own properties.
The at-home caravan program is being launched in Woodburn after further reviews of the proposed temporary housing site at the corner of Wagner and Uralba streets found it was unsuitable because of future flood risks.
From Monday 20 June, Woodburn residents can register for a caravan by visiting the Woodburn Recovery Hub at McGearys Bros, 9630 Pacific Highway between 9am and 4pm on weekdays. Resilience NSW staff will be available to assist with information and applications related to the at-home caravan program.
The State Government has not confirmed when the caravans will arrive. Progress of the at-home caravan program in Woodburn will inform whether the at-home caravan program is extended to other flood-affected communities.
For more information, go here.
UPDATE: Flood grant assessing team now in Coraki, Woodburn
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