Community Resilience Shines Through After Cyclone Alfred in Lismore

Despite the challenges brought by Cyclone Alfred, the spirit of the Lismore community remains unbroken as businesses are slowly reopening their doors. With only a handful of establishments returning to normal operations, the contrast in activity across the Central Business District (CBD) is stark.

Post-Cyclone Business Activity

As of yesterday afternoon, many shops within the CBD appeared lifeless, while others were bustling with owners, managers, and staff actively working to restore order—unpacking goods, rearranging shelves, and returning appliances to their rightful spots. Among the few businesses currently open, Southside Chempro on Wilson Street has resumed service, showing resilience amidst adversity.

The Impact of Community Support

The implementation of effective flood plans emerged as a silver lining alongside the devastating effects of the cyclone. Local businesses reported a tremendous outpouring of community support, with the involvement of family members, friends, and even complete strangers.

Craig Newby of Rollerworld in North Lismore voiced his gratitude for the community’s involvement. “We had about a dozen people turn up today to help us with the clean-up,” he stated. The collaborative effort included pressure cleaning floors and furniture to prepare for a hopeful reopening this Saturday.

Learning from the Experience

Business owners highlighted the effectiveness of their flood management plans, which served as practical exercises that revealed areas for improvement. While the safety procedures worked well, many noted that the time required to restock shelves after securing their premises was significant—taking as long as eight hours or more. This often contributes to a delayed reopening schedule for many businesses.

Notable Reopenings and Plans

Woodlark Street

• The Boys Hair & Makeup – Open as of today.
• Millers Bakery – Scheduled to open Wednesday or Thursday.
• Toyworld – Opening on Wednesday.
• Indian Mumtaj – Hoping for a potential opening today or Wednesday for takeout.

Molesworth Street

• Bi-Rite Home Appliances & Furniture Court – Available for business and phone orders, with a reopening expected on Wednesday.
• Furniture Court – Will hold a sale for stock damaged during the evacuation.
• Sportspower – Likely to reopen Thursday.
• Inka & Co – Reopening on Wednesday.

Other Streets

• Magellan Street – Little Polli & the Blackbird will be reopening next Monday.
• Keen Street – Uncle Lims anticipated to open Thursday, while Thai Satay Hut operated as usual yesterday.
• South Lismore – Southside Pharmacy is now open from 8:30am to 6pm for scripts and medications.

The Financial Toll on Local Businesses

While community support is critical, many owners conveyed their financial struggles following the cyclone. Significant losses were reported, including a staggering $200,000 in lost trade and wages for some businesses. Smaller establishments faced losses around $30,000. The ongoing impact of previous flooding, alongside increasing debts from the Australian Taxation Office and declining consumer spending, adds to their burdens.

Owners were disheartened by the absence of an announcement from the Prime Minister regarding business grants for small enterprises, emphasizing an ongoing concern that assistance does not adequately reach small business owners. Sentiments echoed by the owners included, “We can’t rely on them to fix our problems” and “They seem to forget the little guys.” However, many also acknowledged that, thankfully, the levee wall had held strong and prevented even more severe flooding damage.

Support Local Businesses

As the Lismore community begins to pick up the pieces, it is vital for residents to support their local businesses financially by making purchases whenever possible. The collective effort displayed after Cyclone Alfred reflects an unwavering spirit, and together, the community can help these businesses recover.