Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This year has tested the people of Port Stephens, Maitland and the wider Hunter like few others in recent memory. In January, our region was hit by a powerful and destructive storm system that tore through homes, farms and businesses. Thousands were left without power, roads were blocked, trees were torn down and, in some areas, entire streets were under water. Both Port Stephens and Maitland were declared natural disaster areas. Then, in May, it happened again. Heavy rain and flash flooding inundated parts of Port Stephens and Maitland, from Morpeth to Williamtown, closing schools and cutting off local roads. It came on top of months of recovery work still underway from the January system, compounding the strain on families, councils and emergency services.

And this was all set against the backdrop of the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Maitland flood, which saw terrible loss of life, incredible destruction and loss of livestock and was in fact so horrific that it was the first major natural disaster to ever be televised. It also bore the New South Wales State Emergency Service. We stopped to reflect on those 70 years, only to be inundated and flooded again, and the trauma of 1955 was certainly brought back for many of our elderly residents as well.

While the two events that we had in January and May this year were the major ones, we also experienced further weather events in early June and again in August. Torrential rain, relentless wind and widespread flooding reminded us that our region is no stranger to extreme weather. I suppose, when you're called the Hunter Valley, you do expect to get a lot of water coming through the topography of our region. But it was certainly a testing time.

Through all of this, one thing has stood out above all else: the resilience, the heart and the strength of local communities. Neighbours checked in on each other. The SES, the RFS, community volunteers and countless others worked tirelessly around the clock. Local businesses stepped up to support recovery efforts, offering food, shelter and supplies. I saw firsthand the way communities in Port Stephens and Maitland banded together, with people helping people, often before help could arrive. It's what makes our region so special—those incredible people, who are so pragmatic and practical.

But, while our communities are strong, the impact has been immense. Homes are still being repaired. Roads are still being fixed. Farmers are still clearing up fencing and counting the costs. We're rebuilding, and there's still work to be done, but we are getting on with the job.

Our local councils have been incredible partners in this effort. Port Stephens Council and Maitland Council worked hand in glove with the New South Wales government and the Albanese Labor government to access disaster recovery funding, repair vital infrastructure and support local residents and businesses. Together, we're delivering real, practical help where it's needed, fixing roads, restoring essential services and making our communities even more resilient for the future.

We also have to talk about what's driving this. The sheer frequency and intensity of these weather events, not just in my electorate but right across Australia, remind us how unpredictable and challenging our environment can be. We're seeing more severe storms, heavier rainfall and longer recovery periods, and our communities are the ones that are on the front line. It's a reminder of how important it is that we plan carefully.

I want to take a moment to thank both Minister Kristy McBain and Minister Julie Collins for the immediate support for the Paterson electorate. We have been investing in stronger local infrastructure, like the M1, which is finally being built after years of promises. Now we as the Labor government are delivering it.

As the member for Paterson, I couldn't be prouder of what we're doing, but also I say thank you to our community. Thanks for your resilience and strength. We know there's another storm season and fire season heading our way, as January will soon roll around. I say to people: thank you for being prepared and thank you for looking out for each other. Paterson is a remarkable community, and I couldn't be prouder to represent it in this place.

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