NSW North Coast town of Wardell comes together to heal as flood anniversary approaches

Flood-affected communities mark anniversary by placing lanterns at Wardell (ABC Staff)

The New South Wales North Coast community of Wardell has come together to host a flood healing event, marking one year since the natural disaster hit the small town.

Many residents lost homes or businesses as flood waters from the swollen Richmond River swept through Wardell, and other river communities such as Woodburn, on February 28 last year.

During the disaster some people had to climb onto their roofs to escape the water and wait for hours to be rescued.

Last night, residents lit lanterns by the riverside in a sign of making peace with the same river system that destroyed homes and business a year ago.

Residents from communities across the Lower Richmond River gathered by the water's edge. (ABC News: Bronwyn Herbert)

Organiser of the healing event, Joel Orchard, said for the community to move forward it was important to reconnect with the river.

"I think people have a damaged relationship with the river," he said.

"It is a beautiful natural asset that caused damage and we want people to reconnect with the water as part of the healing process.

"This event is helping people come to terms with what has happened and to move forward by making peace with the waterway."

Mr Orchard said there was a significant clean-up process after the floods and the recovery work still continued.

He has led the recovery process in Wardell and said it had been a privilege to serve his community.

He did not lose his home in the floods but his business was damaged.

Children help make lanterns for the event. (ABC News: Bronwyn Herbert)

More than 300 people attended the event, representing communities across the Lower Richmond River including Woodburn, Broadwater and Pimlico. 

Children painted lanterns with symbols of peace and hope and a local Bundjalung elder performed a smoking ceremony.

East Wardell resident Bec Heywood attended and said it has been a difficult 12 months for locals, with many at different stages of recovery.

Residents are hoping for a more peaceful existence with the waterway after a hard year of flood recovery. (ABC News: Bronwyn Herbert)

She said it was important for the community to meet and reconnect after surviving such a disaster together.

"It is symbolic to meet at the river and celebrate with the lanterns and hope that we never have to go through this again," she said.

The healing event was the first in a series of community forums to be held across the Northern Rivers to mark the one year anniversary of the floods.