The owners of a gym devastated by flooding more than three months ago are among several Sunshine Coast business operators battling to recover from the event.
Warren White and Jill Bingham’s Jetts outlet bore the brunt of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in early March.
The gym and dozens of other Nambour businesses were inundated by 365mm in 18 hours.
Mr White said floodwater had threatened the business many times since it opened in 2010, before finally breaking through.
He estimated there was more than $250,000 in damage to the property, including to gym and electrical equipment, but insurance was “impossible to afford” there.
“There is also the loss in revenue (and) countless hours of work to clean and restore what was salvageable,” he said.
He said the clean-up and virtual rebuild was immense.
“Flooring had to be removed and the walls cut out 1.2m from the floor,” he said.
“This was to dry and sanitise, to eliminate any mould and bacteria growth, to enable a hygienist to certify that the premises are safe for use.”
Club members’ fees were suspended.
“This was the best and fairest thing we could do for our members, however this meant we no longer had a revenue stream,” he said.
“The Jetts support office has been incredibly helpful and supportive (and) allowed all Nambour members the use of any other Jetts club for no charge.
“The business virtually came to a complete standstill. That’s scary for a small business owner – to see your business come to a grinding halt.”
He said they were eligible to receive disaster relief payments of $300 per week.
“We are grateful but it’s not easy in a cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
Mr White said they had received “amazing” support from locals but little backing from authorities.
“The Nambour community is such a beautiful community. I often hold back tears when I think about all the things that people have done to support us,” he said.
“The levels of government have been extremely disappointing to say the least – poor and dismal.”
He said the creek was poorly managed and authorities “did little to assist with the clean-up”.
“They talked about all the grants and funding that would be available: where?” he said.
“Politicians and local councils produced nothing more than lip service.”
He was optimistic the venue could reopen but it could take another six months.
“Our hope is to possibly reopen around Christmas,” he said.
They are also looking to move from the rented premises, which is now for sale.
“We are going through the process of attempting to relocate, which is a lengthy, complicated and expensive process,” Mr White said.
Among other affected businesses were Ray White, Snap Fitness, Supercheap Auto, Neighbours Aid and Nambour Community Pre-School and Kindergarten.
Ray White Nambour principal Matt O’Grady said half a metre of water went through the Currie Street branch, which is still closed, with staff operating out of a Howard Street office.
“Everything the water touched had to be replaced: printer, digital screen, flooring, furnishings, walls and doors,” he said.
“The costs have come to well over $100,000. Unfortunately, our cover was less than the costs we have incurred but at least we had something.”
He said two post-cyclone soakings had hampered their clean-up efforts.
“There are still air blowers trying to get the moisture out of the walls and the builders are only now able to start getting in and rebuild,” he said.
“All of our clients have been understanding with the situation. They can see that ourselves and the other tenants in the building have been in a pretty bad situation.”
Mr O’Grady said local MPs had reached out to offer support.
“But unfortunately, we were not eligible for any of it (financial assistance) because we had insurance,” he said.
He said he was unsure when, or if, the business would reopen there.
“It will depend on the owners of the building and their decisions around our current lease,” Mr O’Grady said.
He also held serious concerns it could flood there again.
“The car park and the downstairs area of the building flood two to three times every year,” he said.
“Before this big flood, we had no idea how bad the water quality was and, with how high the water got, I am not sure that sandbagging or anything like that would have helped. The only precautions we can take would be to furnish the building with inexpensive fixtures and fittings.”
The Neighbours Aid op shop is set to reopen its Howard Street outlet on June 30 while the kindergarten shared, via social media in April, that it would operate out of The Range Community Kindergarten twice a week. The Pump House on Mathew Street reopened on June 20 after the team had to contend with 1.5m of mud, before renovating.
Nambour Chamber of Commerce president Mark Bray said local store owners and operators were bouncing back.
“Many businesses are positive about the future,” he said.
“The major inundation was confined mainly along that (creek) strip and slowly but surely those businesses are getting back on track.
“Most are going again or have relocated.”
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the council was supporting affected businesses “through a coordinated and proactive recovery effort”.
The spokesperson detailed the council’s short-term and long-term response.
“Council’s Local Business Support team carried out rapid impact assessments, advocated to the state government and provided direct, hands-on support to affected businesses,” they said.
“This included one-on-one assistance, access to volunteer clean-up crews, connection to resources and referrals to funding and grant opportunities.
“In total, more than 150 businesses received targeted help to speed up their recovery.
“To help businesses build long-term resilience, council has launched the Resilient Business Series which covers risk assessment, data security, financial planning and emergency preparedness.”
State Member for Nicklin, LNP’s Marty Hunt, lauded the fortitude of locals.
“It was a devastating flooding event but our community has really stood up to help each other,” he said.
“We (have) supported each other and continue to do so.”
He said many businesses and groups had expressed their disappointment at insurance rejections and the state government referred them to forms of support, including the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program, the council emergency grant program, the RACQ Foundation grant, natural disaster payments and financial help packages and the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Federal MP for Fairfax and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, LNPs Ted O’Brien, said the flooding had “devastated” many local families and businesses.
“Standing shoulder to shoulder with residents, sandbagging before the storm and mopping up after, it was clear once again that our community shows its true character in times of crisis through resilience and compassion,” he said.
“From the outset, my office and I were on the ground, working directly with locals to connect them with vital support services across all three levels of government”.
He said he had called for a review of the flood response and recovery efforts.
He also said that he will continue working across all levels of government “to ensure lessons are learned for the future”.
