Ruth's home was destroyed. What happened next scared her more
Nielsen had just had surgery in Sydney for breast cancer, and had only returned home to pick up her Christmas presents before returning to the city for treatment.
Her insurance claim was rejected the first time because her policy covered a range of natural disasters, including storm surge, storm run-off and tsunami, but not floods.
'A lot of people were in my situation. They had everything but flood written on their insurance,' she said. 'We had never flooded in this particular area where I live.'
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The stress of the cancer treatment took its toll. Nielsen was reluctant to challenge the denial until she spoke to Legal Aid NSW experts at Eugowra showgrounds.
Legal Aid is preparing for another wave of requests for assistance following the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter floods. Insurers had already received more than 6000 claims, the bulk of which relate to damage to homes, the Insurance Council of Australia said.
'Because I had those early morning photos of the water coming into my garage and around the house ... [I was told by Legal Aid], 'You've got a case because this is before the flood actually hit,' ' Nielsen said.
'This was three hours before the actual wave hit us.'
She said she believed the photos and videos were crucial to the success of her second claim for insurance based on stormwater damage. Nielsen received funds from contents insurance with the assistance of Legal Aid.
'Unfortunately, we lost two people. That's a bigger loss,' she said.
Nielsen has been living in a mobile pod home behind her former home since February 2023. The temporary accommodation was organised by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
'I was very fortunate to have somewhere to come and stay. I take my hat off to the government. They are doing a brilliant job under extreme circumstances,' Nielsen said.
She is awaiting confirmation from government agencies about a replacement home.
Avoiding insurance pitfalls
A senior disaster recovery and insurance solicitor at Legal Aid NSW, Ma'ata Solofoni, said that 'what we see following a flood is that ... people often don't have cover for flood [damage]' because of the high cost of insurance, particularly in high-risk areas.
'We've heard from people figures like $10,000, up to $60,000. Those are premiums for one year.'
Importantly, however, 'storm cover is a standard inclusion in policies', and people may still be covered for damage before any floodwater entered their property.
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Some insurers bundled an exclusion on stormwater run-off with flood cover, meaning that, if a person had opted out of flood cover, they might also have opted out of those other forms of cover.
'In Ruth's case, she didn't have that bundled exclusion,' Solofoni said. 'For those who unfortunately have that bundled exclusion, they wouldn't be covered for any sort of water damage that's entered the property from [the] ground up.
'What we saw with many of our clients was they weren't aware that's what they had opted out of.'
Solofoni said time-stamped photo and video evidence could make 'the biggest difference' when a client might be up against an expensive report prepared by a hydrologist for an insurance company. She encouraged people to gather this evidence if it was safe to do so at the time.
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The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- The Advertiser
One in five crashes: why drivers are urged to take care in school holidays
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In the 2024 Christmas holidays, police said heavy holiday traffic was expected across Heatherbrae, Hexham and Beresfield. The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay. With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. 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The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay. With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. As school holidays begin on July 7, motorists who plan to hit the roads should drive according to the weather conditions, which are typically adverse during the winter months, police said. In the July school holidays last year, eight people died in crashes, the same number as in 2023. 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"Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay. With 20 per cent of serious crashes occurring during school holidays, police are urging drivers to take extra care before getting behind the wheel. As school holidays begin on July 7, motorists who plan to hit the roads should drive according to the weather conditions, which are typically adverse during the winter months, police said. In the July school holidays last year, eight people died in crashes, the same number as in 2023. Police data showed that almost 20 per cent of crashes involving injuries or fatalities happened during the 12 weeks of public school holidays. So far this year, 190 people have died on the NSW roads, 29 more deaths than at this time last year. Officers will be conducting enforcement patrols and operations over the next two weeks. Over previous holiday periods, Hunter-based highway patrol officers have warned drivers to be careful around known traffic pinch points, such as the M1 Pacific Highway at Hexham. In the 2024 Christmas holidays, police said heavy holiday traffic was expected across Heatherbrae, Hexham and Beresfield. The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace, which has caused backed-up traffic on Hunter roads, was expected to be completed by 2028. Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner David Driver said wet weather could contribute to serious crashes. "Drivers need to be aware of the risks when travelling in wet and snowing conditions, with black ice a serious hazard on our roads at this time of year," Mr Driver said. A dusting of snow fell on the Barrington Tops this week as severe weather bombarded the east coast of Australia. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service warned driving conditions were hazardous due to the combination of wind and wet conditions. He said drivers should take extra care, reduce their speed and focus when heading off on road trips. "As always, don't speed, wear a seatbelt, never drive when tired, do not use a mobile phone while driving and never drive if affected by drugs or alcohol," he said. In the 2025 January and April school holiday period, there were 1305 crashes where people were injured, including 37 fatalities. It has been a tragic few weeks on the Hunter roads, with several serious crashes ending in fatalities. A young boy died in a two-car crash north of Scone on June 25, while a 55-year-old woman died in a North Lambton crash, and a 28-year-old woman lost her unborn baby. Local legend Lenny Wilton died after being hit by a car outside his Awaba home, and in a separate incident, a 38-year-old woman died in a two-car crash in Fennell Bay.
Sky News AU
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The Advertiser
19-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Natural hazards are becoming unnatural risks. Climate is not static, nor should we be
Cyclone Alfred stirred emergency crews into action earlier this year when the tropical tempest crossed the coast just north of Brisbane, placing more than four million people in southeast Queensland and northern NSW on alert. Four years earlier, Cyclone Seroja barreled across the Western Australian coastline near Kalbarri as a category 3 storm. What these two storms have in common is both spun much further south than usual. In fact, cyclones in those regions are so uncommon that construction codes don't require buildings there to withstand cyclonic-strength wind speeds. Governments introduced these codes in the decade after Cyclone Tracy battered Darwin on Christmas Day 1974. Its ferocity killed 66 people and destroyed 80 per cent of homes. The Climate Change Authority has examined cyclones and other wild weather for the threats they pose to households. The report, Home safe: National leadership in adapting to a changing climate, finds millions of Australians face escalating risks as the planet heats up. Bushfires, floods and cyclones already cost homeowners about $4 billion a year, a tally on track to more than double by 2050 unless we act to bolster resilience. And that figure doesn't count the very real cost to people's safety and well-being. Of course, First Nations people and those arriving post-1788 have known Australia is vulnerable to natural hazards. What we are facing now is the prospect of more intense weather events, more often and in new places that we will need to prepare for. Natural hazards are becoming unnatural risks. Just as the climate is not static, nor should we be. Areas previously considered relatively safe are now experiencing these risks. As many as 650,000 properties nationwide face high risks from one or more climate hazards, with insurance cover either unavailable or unaffordable. Another 1.55 million homeowners face moderate risks that are already hiking insurance bills - adding to cost-of-living pressures. Insurers are currently processing the latest round of claims after four big flood events this year. The insured losses for flooding associated with Cyclone Alfred and the north Queensland floods alone already exceed $1.5 billion, the Insurance Council of Australia says. By 2030, more than 3 million properties face exposure to some degree of riverine flooding, and by 2050 the average cost to exposed sites will be about $45,000, our report notes. Global sea levels have risen more than 22 centimetres since 1900 and when storms hit, they are becoming more severe. Local topography and geology give us strong clues about which parts of our coastline are most exposed to these rising risks. Authorities will need to review and tighten building codes. Parts of coastal Queensland and WA not now covered by cyclone construction standards may need to be, and soon. This is just one practical example of the steps we can take now to make Australia more resilient in a changing climate. The Australian government can lead on a national adaptation agenda which coordinates and amplifies necessary efforts by all levels of government, businesses and communities. And there are real benefits to taking adaptation seriously. Every dollar invested in reducing climate risks pays for itself 10 times over in reduced recovery costs, according to the CSIRO. The United Kingdom and New Zealand have legislated their climate advisory bodies to report regularly on the progress and effectiveness of their nations' adaptation plans. The Climate Change Authority stands ready to take on a similar role in Australia. Some may argue that a national housing crisis is not the right time to demand greater resilience in where, what and how we build because resilience comes with a price tag. But having houses out of action for extended periods of time certainly doesn't help with a national housing crisis. Homes are the biggest financial investment most Australians will ever make. They are meant to be our sanctuaries and places of belonging. Having to demolish and rebuild damaged homes, or shift entire communities out of harm's way, will be much more expensive in the long run - and put even more pressure on stretched workforces and supply chains - than making smarter planning and investment decisions now. Cyclone Alfred stirred emergency crews into action earlier this year when the tropical tempest crossed the coast just north of Brisbane, placing more than four million people in southeast Queensland and northern NSW on alert. Four years earlier, Cyclone Seroja barreled across the Western Australian coastline near Kalbarri as a category 3 storm. What these two storms have in common is both spun much further south than usual. In fact, cyclones in those regions are so uncommon that construction codes don't require buildings there to withstand cyclonic-strength wind speeds. Governments introduced these codes in the decade after Cyclone Tracy battered Darwin on Christmas Day 1974. Its ferocity killed 66 people and destroyed 80 per cent of homes. The Climate Change Authority has examined cyclones and other wild weather for the threats they pose to households. The report, Home safe: National leadership in adapting to a changing climate, finds millions of Australians face escalating risks as the planet heats up. Bushfires, floods and cyclones already cost homeowners about $4 billion a year, a tally on track to more than double by 2050 unless we act to bolster resilience. And that figure doesn't count the very real cost to people's safety and well-being. Of course, First Nations people and those arriving post-1788 have known Australia is vulnerable to natural hazards. What we are facing now is the prospect of more intense weather events, more often and in new places that we will need to prepare for. Natural hazards are becoming unnatural risks. Just as the climate is not static, nor should we be. Areas previously considered relatively safe are now experiencing these risks. As many as 650,000 properties nationwide face high risks from one or more climate hazards, with insurance cover either unavailable or unaffordable. Another 1.55 million homeowners face moderate risks that are already hiking insurance bills - adding to cost-of-living pressures. Insurers are currently processing the latest round of claims after four big flood events this year. The insured losses for flooding associated with Cyclone Alfred and the north Queensland floods alone already exceed $1.5 billion, the Insurance Council of Australia says. By 2030, more than 3 million properties face exposure to some degree of riverine flooding, and by 2050 the average cost to exposed sites will be about $45,000, our report notes. Global sea levels have risen more than 22 centimetres since 1900 and when storms hit, they are becoming more severe. Local topography and geology give us strong clues about which parts of our coastline are most exposed to these rising risks. Authorities will need to review and tighten building codes. Parts of coastal Queensland and WA not now covered by cyclone construction standards may need to be, and soon. This is just one practical example of the steps we can take now to make Australia more resilient in a changing climate. The Australian government can lead on a national adaptation agenda which coordinates and amplifies necessary efforts by all levels of government, businesses and communities. And there are real benefits to taking adaptation seriously. Every dollar invested in reducing climate risks pays for itself 10 times over in reduced recovery costs, according to the CSIRO. The United Kingdom and New Zealand have legislated their climate advisory bodies to report regularly on the progress and effectiveness of their nations' adaptation plans. The Climate Change Authority stands ready to take on a similar role in Australia. Some may argue that a national housing crisis is not the right time to demand greater resilience in where, what and how we build because resilience comes with a price tag. But having houses out of action for extended periods of time certainly doesn't help with a national housing crisis. Homes are the biggest financial investment most Australians will ever make. They are meant to be our sanctuaries and places of belonging. Having to demolish and rebuild damaged homes, or shift entire communities out of harm's way, will be much more expensive in the long run - and put even more pressure on stretched workforces and supply chains - than making smarter planning and investment decisions now. Cyclone Alfred stirred emergency crews into action earlier this year when the tropical tempest crossed the coast just north of Brisbane, placing more than four million people in southeast Queensland and northern NSW on alert. Four years earlier, Cyclone Seroja barreled across the Western Australian coastline near Kalbarri as a category 3 storm. What these two storms have in common is both spun much further south than usual. In fact, cyclones in those regions are so uncommon that construction codes don't require buildings there to withstand cyclonic-strength wind speeds. Governments introduced these codes in the decade after Cyclone Tracy battered Darwin on Christmas Day 1974. Its ferocity killed 66 people and destroyed 80 per cent of homes. The Climate Change Authority has examined cyclones and other wild weather for the threats they pose to households. The report, Home safe: National leadership in adapting to a changing climate, finds millions of Australians face escalating risks as the planet heats up. Bushfires, floods and cyclones already cost homeowners about $4 billion a year, a tally on track to more than double by 2050 unless we act to bolster resilience. And that figure doesn't count the very real cost to people's safety and well-being. Of course, First Nations people and those arriving post-1788 have known Australia is vulnerable to natural hazards. What we are facing now is the prospect of more intense weather events, more often and in new places that we will need to prepare for. Natural hazards are becoming unnatural risks. Just as the climate is not static, nor should we be. Areas previously considered relatively safe are now experiencing these risks. As many as 650,000 properties nationwide face high risks from one or more climate hazards, with insurance cover either unavailable or unaffordable. Another 1.55 million homeowners face moderate risks that are already hiking insurance bills - adding to cost-of-living pressures. Insurers are currently processing the latest round of claims after four big flood events this year. The insured losses for flooding associated with Cyclone Alfred and the north Queensland floods alone already exceed $1.5 billion, the Insurance Council of Australia says. By 2030, more than 3 million properties face exposure to some degree of riverine flooding, and by 2050 the average cost to exposed sites will be about $45,000, our report notes. Global sea levels have risen more than 22 centimetres since 1900 and when storms hit, they are becoming more severe. Local topography and geology give us strong clues about which parts of our coastline are most exposed to these rising risks. Authorities will need to review and tighten building codes. Parts of coastal Queensland and WA not now covered by cyclone construction standards may need to be, and soon. This is just one practical example of the steps we can take now to make Australia more resilient in a changing climate. The Australian government can lead on a national adaptation agenda which coordinates and amplifies necessary efforts by all levels of government, businesses and communities. And there are real benefits to taking adaptation seriously. Every dollar invested in reducing climate risks pays for itself 10 times over in reduced recovery costs, according to the CSIRO. The United Kingdom and New Zealand have legislated their climate advisory bodies to report regularly on the progress and effectiveness of their nations' adaptation plans. The Climate Change Authority stands ready to take on a similar role in Australia. Some may argue that a national housing crisis is not the right time to demand greater resilience in where, what and how we build because resilience comes with a price tag. But having houses out of action for extended periods of time certainly doesn't help with a national housing crisis. Homes are the biggest financial investment most Australians will ever make. They are meant to be our sanctuaries and places of belonging. Having to demolish and rebuild damaged homes, or shift entire communities out of harm's way, will be much more expensive in the long run - and put even more pressure on stretched workforces and supply chains - than making smarter planning and investment decisions now. Cyclone Alfred stirred emergency crews into action earlier this year when the tropical tempest crossed the coast just north of Brisbane, placing more than four million people in southeast Queensland and northern NSW on alert. Four years earlier, Cyclone Seroja barreled across the Western Australian coastline near Kalbarri as a category 3 storm. What these two storms have in common is both spun much further south than usual. In fact, cyclones in those regions are so uncommon that construction codes don't require buildings there to withstand cyclonic-strength wind speeds. Governments introduced these codes in the decade after Cyclone Tracy battered Darwin on Christmas Day 1974. Its ferocity killed 66 people and destroyed 80 per cent of homes. The Climate Change Authority has examined cyclones and other wild weather for the threats they pose to households. The report, Home safe: National leadership in adapting to a changing climate, finds millions of Australians face escalating risks as the planet heats up. Bushfires, floods and cyclones already cost homeowners about $4 billion a year, a tally on track to more than double by 2050 unless we act to bolster resilience. And that figure doesn't count the very real cost to people's safety and well-being. Of course, First Nations people and those arriving post-1788 have known Australia is vulnerable to natural hazards. What we are facing now is the prospect of more intense weather events, more often and in new places that we will need to prepare for. Natural hazards are becoming unnatural risks. Just as the climate is not static, nor should we be. Areas previously considered relatively safe are now experiencing these risks. As many as 650,000 properties nationwide face high risks from one or more climate hazards, with insurance cover either unavailable or unaffordable. Another 1.55 million homeowners face moderate risks that are already hiking insurance bills - adding to cost-of-living pressures. Insurers are currently processing the latest round of claims after four big flood events this year. The insured losses for flooding associated with Cyclone Alfred and the north Queensland floods alone already exceed $1.5 billion, the Insurance Council of Australia says. By 2030, more than 3 million properties face exposure to some degree of riverine flooding, and by 2050 the average cost to exposed sites will be about $45,000, our report notes. Global sea levels have risen more than 22 centimetres since 1900 and when storms hit, they are becoming more severe. Local topography and geology give us strong clues about which parts of our coastline are most exposed to these rising risks. Authorities will need to review and tighten building codes. Parts of coastal Queensland and WA not now covered by cyclone construction standards may need to be, and soon. This is just one practical example of the steps we can take now to make Australia more resilient in a changing climate. The Australian government can lead on a national adaptation agenda which coordinates and amplifies necessary efforts by all levels of government, businesses and communities. And there are real benefits to taking adaptation seriously. Every dollar invested in reducing climate risks pays for itself 10 times over in reduced recovery costs, according to the CSIRO. The United Kingdom and New Zealand have legislated their climate advisory bodies to report regularly on the progress and effectiveness of their nations' adaptation plans. The Climate Change Authority stands ready to take on a similar role in Australia. Some may argue that a national housing crisis is not the right time to demand greater resilience in where, what and how we build because resilience comes with a price tag. But having houses out of action for extended periods of time certainly doesn't help with a national housing crisis. Homes are the biggest financial investment most Australians will ever make. They are meant to be our sanctuaries and places of belonging. Having to demolish and rebuild damaged homes, or shift entire communities out of harm's way, will be much more expensive in the long run - and put even more pressure on stretched workforces and supply chains - than making smarter planning and investment decisions now.
