People living in flood-ravaged homes in New South Wales' Northern Rivers region are struggling more than most to stay warm during the current cold snap.
Donna Walker's house in North Lismore is basically a shell.
The interior walls and doors have been ripped out after being ruined by floodwaters.
At night the five people who live there crowd into a single room — the only one kept warm by their fireplace.
"Firewood is about $15 a bag, and one bag lasts one night," Ms Walker said.
"I've got about three different layers on now … but I also find a trick is to stay dressed, so you don't have to get dressed in the morning."
A few streets away Maralyn Schofield is facing a similar situation, and has come up with a novel solution.
She has lined the walls of her home with advertising corflutes left over from the recent federal election.
"I think it might have made a few degrees difference," she said.
With overnight temperatures hovering at around 5 degrees Celsius, any extra warmth is welcome.
"I work from home, so even during the day it is icy-cold and very hard to get warm," Ms Schofield said.
"What I've done with some packing tape and a staple gun is go around where all the walls have been removed and try to just cover them up a bit to keep some of the warmth in, and on the other side of the room we've used old removalist blankets to do the same.
"But only in these two rooms … so we're just doing our best to make it as comfortable as possible, but it's hard work and it's cold."
Corflutes spark fire fears
The use of unorthodox insulation is causing concern for Lismore's Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Darren West.
"So it is a concern for us, most definitely.
"Temperatures can drop dramatically in Lismore here, and people are going to be doing everything to keep warm throughout the winter.
"So safety first and keep it in mind that … if they take their eye off wherever they've got a fire going, just for a minute, it can turn tragic."
Calls for urgent intervention
Lismore City councillor Elly Bird has spent the last three months working at a local volunteer hub known as Resilient Lismore.
She has called for urgent government or business intervention to help flood-affected residents heat their homes.
"If we had a big supply of gyprock, we could coordinate putting up some temporary or permanent walls.
"We also really need volunteers and labour on the ground.
"So if government could somehow find their way to finding a solution, that would go a long way."
