A national call-out for caravan donations is providing emergency housing for New South Wales flood victims but organisers of the van-sharing scheme say more are urgently needed, as an accommodation crisis grips the region.
Online caravan-sharing company Camplify is driving the flood-relief scheme to provide temporary accommodation for people in northern New South Wales while their flood-damaged homes are rebuilt.
It's helping displaced residents like Susan Ardern and her partner, whose property at Tucabia, east of Grafton, was deemed uninhabitable by insurance assessors after floodwaters tore through the property.
Ms Ardern said she was "so very grateful" when they received their donated caravan.
"The flooding hit us really hard and caused terrible damage to our home," Ms Ardern said.
"We were knee deep in water inside."
Ms Ardern said there was no alternative accommodation in the region until they were provided with a caravan.
"Also, it just wasn't practical for us to go elsewhere, we have horses, a mare with a foal, and a dog on half an acre," she said.
"It's a bit of a blessing really because I was coughing a lot and feeling sick due to the mould, at least we've got a clean roof over our heads now."
'Strong call to arms'
Under the scheme, owners who loan their caravans to flood victims will be paid by insurance companies looking to assist their clients.
Renee Flynn, a Sunshine Coast caravan repair centre director, said she jumped at the chance to help "people in hardship".
"It's given them a reprieve."
Ms Flynn said the scheme also provided a good business opportunity.
Camplify's chief marketing officer, Alastair McCausland, said its call-out had provided shelter for 135 people so far, but it was now stepping up its campaign.
"Our call is that people may not have heard the message, or they may think their vans aren't suitable," he said.
Tradesman offers help
Sunshine Coast electrician Lior Erez has travelled to Lismore twice in the past month to volunteer his time set up temporary electricity points for flood victims.
"All houses that were affected, even if it was just a minor flood, the house had to be disconnected from power and you cannot restore power until every aspect of the electrical system is in check," Mr Erez said.
"There is a shortage of tradies … and I will be happy to see more tradies coming and either donating their time or if they can get material relatively cheap and donate some of the materials or [offer them at] cost."
Mr Erez said he had connected about 35 residents with a power point so they could run a fridge and lights.
But he admitted the damage he had witnessed had been confronting.
"It was very devastating to see the whole streets full of household and white goods, and whatever you can have inside the house, to be thrown out on the street," he said.
Ms Ardern said receiving a caravan had restored her sense of security and alleviated her worries.
"We'll take good care of it."
