By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) has commented on the flood-affected residents of the Pioneer Cottages on Fitzroy Street in Warwick, and what action will be taken to look after them.
During the flooding in May, the majority of residents were displaced due to flood damage.
A Council spokesperson confirmed that they own units at both 54 and 56 Fitzroy Street.
“During the recent flood event, a number of units were significantly inundated with water,” they said.
The spokesperson stated that all eight units at 56 Fitzroy Street were affected by the flood.
Residents of four units at 54 Fitzroy Street were affected by water, with some unaffected residents remaining in their homes.
The spokesperson stated that in total, 12 tenants were displaced due to flooding.
“As a result, the tenants of those units have been housed in temporary accommodation until the flood-affected units can be thoroughly cleaned,” they said.
“Items such as carpets, vinyl, kitchens and walls will need to be removed, sanitized, dried and then the units can be repaired.”
They stated that this process could take in excess of three to six months.
The cottages were reportedly bought after World War II and were originally available for those suffering from PTSD.
SDRC later bought them and has used them as low-income housing since.
One resident of the Pioneer Cottages has lived there for 15 years and witnessed four floods.
He said the situation is now just getting him down.
“I don’t want to look at it,” he said.
The water hit the bottom of his bed, he said, which is not as bad as the 2011 floods but has still left many with their property destroyed.
He said he is couch-surfing at the moment, as he is worried about mould in his cottage.
The local said residents will eventually get back inside their homes and be comfortable for the time being.
“Until the next flood,” he said.
Some locals have questioned why the cottages have not been raised, considering their position and the damage done during past floods.
The spokesperson was asked whether there was a possibility of the cottages being raised in the future, though did not answer this question at the time.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi later commented that this had been discussed in every new council he’d been in over the past 19 years.
He said a discussion would be had about the cottages this term.
Mayor Pennisi said there are some difficulties, such as wheelchair access, to consider and it may be better to relocate the housing instead.
SDRC was later asked how much it costs per night per person to house the displaced residents of the Pioneer Cottages but did not respond.
