The toll of Australia’s flood catastrophe | Four Corners
654,630
Published 2022-07-11
It’s already uprooted the lives of thousands of people, leaving many homeless, traumatised and uncertain about the future.
Four Corners travels to Lismore, Brisbane, Grantham and Western Sydney and meets families struggling with current and past flood events. They tell stories of despair, abandonment, and financial ruin. Many have lost everything, including hope.
We investigate whether decades of warnings have been ignored, and ask whether planning failures have deepened the crisis.
Experts say critical changes need to be made now, to make sure this misery isn’t repeated for future generations.
_________
Watch more Four Corners investigations here: bit.ly/2JbpMkf
You can also like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/abc4corners/
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/4corners
_____________
Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.
#ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia
All Comments (21)
-
Who gives planning permission in a flood plain? Who funds development in a flood plain? Who mortgages Property in a flood plain? From the top to the bottom it's absolutely scandalous that any of this was ever allowed to happen! My heart goes out to all these people who have lost absolutely everything! These entire communities need to be rehomed, absolutely no point in rebuilding. This lands on governments, councils who rake in stamp duty and rates, planning authorities and financial institutions!!
-
People in Scotland have been dealing with rain for thousands of years . No building of homes allowed on flood plains .
-
The definition of insanity is repeating the same behaviour/practices and expecting a different outcome. Only thoughtful, helpful change will stop the cycle of insanity. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by the floods.
-
Only had to go through one flood in Lismore and knew it wasnt worth staying there. Built in a literal basin and a river running through it- it was guaranteed to happen again and again. I never want to feel that level of devestation, fear and anxiety and my heart aches for those who cant leave these areas and are affected over and over.
-
So many people told me I was insane when I chose to be homeless at the age of 16. Now I'm the only survivor because I left a dangerous area. Drug addicts and alcoholics regularly committed manslaughter in the area I left behind. I'm still alive and everyone who stayed died. Sometimes starting over with nothing is the only way to save your own life.
-
My father always said never buy anywhere that has a street called "lake" "river" "flood" "creek" etc it's named that for a reason:
-
Wait... did that property developer basically say "sucked in, it's your fault for not reading the contract"? F'n greedy parasites.
-
My small town, in Wisconsin USA, was built on a river floodplain. Was. I'm glad my grandparents generation made the hard decision to move the entire town to higher ground. Besides the the smaller floods that became more frequent, 3 years ago a massive flood came, the old town was completely submerged over the rooftops for a week, only the old church stuck out above the waters. While the new new town was cut off from the outside world for 3 days the waters never reached us, didn't even come close. Don't get me wrong, this move brought problems, for example my family went from home owners to renters in the town move and we were severed from the 100+ years of history in the old town. As I said it was a hard decision but I am glad they made it, floods are no longer a thing to worry about.
-
Heart goes out to all the suffering. I am so sorry for all those who lost loved ones and memories due to this disaster. Thanks to all the presenters of this video.
-
the property developers don't want any restrictions on their greed , i'm shocked.
-
When my husband and I bought our house in Wagga Wagga 20 years ago we went to the council before buying to see the flood maps. I am so glad we did as we have not had any problems with our house in Wagga flooding. I feel so sad for all the people who have bought houses on these flood plains who were told lies by the people making money.
-
Yet rural and regional people continue to vote for the Libs and the Nats.
-
What a loving soul that woman is taking in all her family qnd friends in need, good on ya sweetheart!❤❤❤
-
I am old enough now to know for certain that we will definitely be 'repeating this misery for generations to come'....
-
Didn’t even mention Gympie and Maryborough who have had 3 major floods so far this year
-
My heart and blessings are with Australia, much love from new zealand😞🇳🇿
-
Abc the best Aussie news source
-
Surely there is a class action lawsuit here to be had against the property developers and the corporates that sold and bought up this flood prone area. Its extremely disturbing that something like this can be gotten away with in this day and age and our 'saving grace' will be the same companies that sold this waste land, will most likely be the ones to rebuild and re-home.
-
You should note where the churches, cathedrals and old Towns were built, because they new the safest best places and mainly built on high land back in those times. In the UK when you do aerial views of large flood events its those areas that stay above the floodwater.
-
Am I missing something? They knowingly move to a place that floods then when it floods they complain about the flooding and want somebody else to fix it?...
