As towns and suburbs continue to go under water, experts say Australia is a critical moment where the choices made now will determine whether the misery will be repeated for generations to come.
Towns more than 700kms apart now face a similar fate — home to Australia's flood 'refugees'.
Some people in Western Sydney are going through their fourth major flood in 18 months, and thousands of residents have been subjected to flood evacuation warnings. Already, a council discussion paper has recommended moving some of the most at-risk residents under a land-swap arrangement. "I've never met a stronger community in my life. I was born and raised here. So that's exactly why I want to stay," he says.In the nearby town of Coraki, Binny McElligott would do anything to have a place of her own.
"I never thought at 44 years of age that I would be homeless, and not be able to provide for my children," Binny says.The garage has become a living room and bedroom.Binny and her sister Lorraine.Binny says seeing how the situation is affecting her kids is hard.Binny’s son Jesiah and nephew Jackson.Her son Jesiah begins to cry when talking about what they've lost. So much couldn't be salvaged.
Mark O'Toole saved his neighbour Lehann Suffolk's life during the flood. The two now describe each other as family.Lismore's Mayor Steve Krieg is frustrated with the lack of progress, but hopes the rebuilding of Lismore can be an example for the rest of the country.