Another bout of extreme weather has once again left the Uralla Shire reeling, with significant power and telecommunications outages hitting the regional community for the second time in recent months.
A short but intense storm cell struck Uralla just after 5 pm on Wednesday, 26 November, causing widespread damage and rendering vital infrastructure inoperable.
This latest event follows the major snowstorm on 3 August, which Business Uralla President Beth Platford says exposed serious flaws in the region’s emergency response systems — most notably, the inability to communicate during crises. That vulnerability has resurfaced, leaving residents without access to doctors, pharmacies, or emergency services.
“Without communication, our community is left in a very vulnerable position. Due to the loss of power, we have no doctors available, and no Chemist. And while these services have tried to maintain accessibility by providing alternate contact numbers, it is the loss of communications and ability to connect which has been a glaring reminder of our dependence on city-centric policy makers,” said Platford.
In response, Uralla Shire Council deployed the Rural Fire Service’s Mobile Telecommunications Unit to help residents and visitors reconnect with loved ones. However, notifying the broader community of its availability has proven difficult due to the very communication breakdown it is meant to address.
“Ninety per cent of our local businesses are unable to trade due to loss of power and loss of telecommunication services required to operate EFTPOS facilities,” said Platford.
“While there are a few businesses open and accepting cash, this communications crisis is crippling for our business community who are so dependent on the visitor economy.
The snow event highlighted the inability of communications infrastructure to service our community in an emergency, and this was recognised in the Local Emergency Management Response debriefing. However, the wheels of change are too slow, passing through too many hands to provide meaningful and timely change.”
Platford reiterated Business Uralla’s longstanding advocacy for keeping cash in circulation, particularly for regional communities during emergencies.
“There may even be opportunity to put some timely consideration into the undergrounding of services, as is common practice elsewhere across the globe.”
Business Uralla also acknowledged the efforts of several local businesses — including the Top Pub, Uralla Bowling Club and FoodWorks Uralla — which, in partnership with Uralla Shire Council, have taken steps to acquire emergency infrastructure and maintain essential services.
Uralla Shire Council has been in contact with Brendan Moylan MP and Reconstruction NSW to begin compiling information for potential natural disaster funding.
“Our crews are doing an amazing job, clearing up green waste after just getting on top of the snow clean-up,” said Uralla Shire Mayor, Robert Bell.
“There was a devastating amount of rain and wind over a short amount of time, some calling it cyclonic or a mini tornado. There was a lot of damage from trees over powerlines, which has been the biggest problem. The main line between Uralla and Armidale also had tree limbs cause significant damage.”
While local businesses remain resilient in the face of what many consider freak weather events, calls are mounting for policymakers to respond more urgently and proactively to the challenges facing regional infrastructure.
Business Uralla has expressed appreciation for the overnight efforts of Essential Energy crews to restore power where it was safe to do so, and acknowledged the cooperation between the Uralla and Armidale branches of the SES and RFS during the clean-up operation.
Like what you’re reading? Support New England Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now