By Callum Ludwig
A tight-knit strip of traders on Lilydale’s Main Street is taking steps to recover from the flash floods that poured into their shops on Tuesday 25 October.
The downpour left flooring, packaging, computer systems and other property and wares essentially destroyed, with the Barry Plant Real Estate Agency on the corner stripped almost bare due to the extent of their damage.
Owner of Smoothline Dry Cleaners Rachelle Sankey said when a staff member first told her about the water in the shop she brushed it off.
“Then Gwenda started screaming and saying it was like a river, so I tried to get back but every road was blocked. In the end, I actually ran from up past the police station through the floods down the highway to come to see the water, and it was unbelievable,” she said.
“We had things in our shop just floating out the door, and a staff member was almost swimming down the street after them. It was ferocious, ripped our lino up and was up almost to our knees. It didn’t subside until about 10pm.”
While a number of nice customers assisted with a big cleanup effort on Wednesday 26 October, there were a few who were yelling and aggressive towards staff at Smoothline, demanding their items. Staff are still going through garments and other items to assess any damage, with hopes to reopen for trade as soon as possible.
Proprietor of the Yarra Valley Smokery Alex Tsao said luckily their commercial kitchen sustained minimal damage, but he opened the door to a horrifying torrent of water after racing to the shop.
“I’m one of those people who don’t panic as such, so I just tried to look at and assess the situation. We started cleaning as soon as the water started dropping before going home to rest for a big day on Wednesday,” he said.
“When we started cleaning up, more customers and friends came and help tidy and clean up. We’ve been through a lot and like to help each other, that’s the way we are in this group of shops. We are isolated from everyone else in Lilydale, so we try to stick together, I think that’s the way you have to be in the community.”
With the water continuing to rise Mr Tsao did what he normally does at the shop; make coffee. He made coffee and hot chocolates for all the other traders who were ‘freaking out’ as they stood by waiting for the water to drop.
Co-owner and director of Yarra Valley Cycles Ash Swann was at a trade show in Queensland and said he watched his team run around shirtless as the water rushed through the shop.
“They worked really, really hard to make sure that they had as much off the ground and salvaged as much stuff as possible. Then the guys ran down the street and began making sure that everyone was okay and if they needed assistance, they were amazing,” he said.
“I think what’s happened is we’ve just caught so much more rain and water that’s been pushed back into the actual floodwaters and it just hasn’t actually allowed everywhere to disperse. We were pretty optimistic about having a nice new station but it has definitely caused some grief in the streets with the drainage, traffic and parking. Our landlords have got to step up now and speak to the local council and others about what’s happened here.”
Businesses affected by the floodwaters may be eligible for the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program, which provides a one-off payment of $5000 to support immediate clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, hiring equipment and purchase of stock. More information can be found here: www.business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/small-business-immediate-flood-relief-program?fbclid=IwAR1H0Ytx0LD_IFzZUNrefsGa-IqH_LMzumHeLHwmKvlKy3JVDD9NrNKZc9I
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said Council teams have been as proactive as they can, since the event, contacting businesses.
“We’ve also got some 8000 plus e-newsletters that we’ve sent out to residents and businesses. The team have been making inquiries in Lilydale, Seville and Upwey, to make sure we’re touching base with everyone operating in those necks of the woods given how significant this event was,” he said.
“Back in 2021, we learned from the storm event there that as a community, we’ve got to be resilient, because there’s only so much we can ask of our emergency services and I take my hat off to them.”
Fallen trees, overflowing drains and safety issues on roads can be reported to Council on 1300 368 333.
If businesses affected by floods would like a call and haven’t been reached yet, they are encouraged to get in contact via business@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
