Taree Floods Unleash Devastation on NSW Dairy Farmers
Right now, across the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, we’re witnessing something truly devastating. Taree and surrounding areas are battling what’s being described as a "one-in-500-year" flood event. This isn’t just another storm—it’s a catastrophe. The scale of destruction is hard to put into words, but let me try to paint the picture for you.
Heavy rains—five times the usual monthly average—have hammered the region, setting a new annual rainfall record. Towns like Taree, Wingham, and Croki have been inundated. In just 24 hours, the Barrington Tops saw more than 270mm of rainfall. Rivers are swollen, paddocks are lakes, and roads are gone. The Manning River has burst its banks, swallowing up homes, farms, and livestock in its path.
Dairy farmers, some with generations on the same land, are facing unimaginable losses. Livestock have been swept away—some washing up on beaches like Old Bar after being carried downstream. Locals have reported cattle appearing in parks and holiday parks, disoriented and distressed. It’s heartbreaking.
Sue McGinn, a dairy farmer from Belmore River, called the situation "diabolical." She and her husband have been through floods before, including the devastating 2022 flood, but nothing compares to this. They’re exhausted—physically and emotionally—trying to rescue animals, manage feed, and protect their home from water that just won’t stop rising. Their machinery is damaged, their land is waterlogged, and their cows are stressed beyond measure.
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It’s not just Sue. James McRae, another farmer from Barrington, echoed the fear of what's to come. Pastures are ruined, and winter feed supplies are now under serious threat. He expects months of hardship, warning that if the rain continues, replanting efforts will be near impossible.
Craig and Debbie Emerton, fifth-generation farmers from Croki, are isolated on their property with water up to their knees in the house and nowhere safe left for their cattle. They’ve never seen anything like it. Their preparations weren’t enough—floodwaters rose three times higher than any previous flood on record.
Emergency services are stretched thin. More than 300 rescues have already taken place, many from rooftops in Taree. The Pacific Highway is closed. Entire communities are cut off, with warnings for people to evacuate immediately or risk becoming trapped without power or clean water.
In response, state and federal governments have activated disaster funding. Freight subsidies, concessional loans, and emergency accommodation are being rolled out for affected areas, including 16 local government regions. But for many on the ground, the help can’t come fast enough.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged people to stay alert and evacuate if instructed. And while politics continues in the background, what’s needed right now is action—real, immediate support for families who have lost everything.
This isn’t just a natural disaster—it’s a test of resilience, of community, and of compassion. And as the rain continues to fall, the people of Taree and the NSW Mid North Coast need all the support they can get. Let’s hope the worst is truly over.
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