Brigadoon Holiday Park staff and local volunteers are in full clean up mode as they rush to strip soaked flooring and furniture from cabins to bring residents back to their homes.
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The 10 acre holiday park which houses about 200 residents at North Haven was hit hard during recent flooding. Most of the park occupants were evacuated. Many of them have been left with nothing.
Residents of Brigadoon are counting the cost after returning home to find flood waters surged from the nearly Camden Haven waterway into their vans and cabins.
Brigadoon Holiday Park managers Glenn and Claire Stevenson said the park is being reconnected to electricity and gas.
"A lot of the places have been gutted of wet material. Ninety per cent are still liveable but there are ten per cent that need work done to them. Day by day we are getting closer to our goals," Mr Stevenson said.
Mrs Stevenson said two residents have managed to get back into their premises.
"A lot of places are still very wet, sodden and have floors that need replacing before we can think about works inside the vans," she said.
"We have had a lot of electricity and gas reconnected to cabins. We have had a builder do a walk around of the park and we think a lot can be salvaged.
"A lot of people want to get back because they have been spread around to Laurieton United Services Club, Bonny Hills and Port Macquarie. A lot of people are absolutely devastated and feel they cannot come back at all.
"I cannot stress enough how unbelievable the support of the community has been. We have had mental health services, electricians, plumbers, builders and volunteers."
Hot showers, two tumble dryers, two washing machines and camp kitchens were reconnected at the park on March 29.
But the park and residents are still in need of supplies to rebuild and replace what was washed away.
Mrs Stevenson said volunteers and residents were stung by the cancellation of a visit from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"Prime Minister Scott Morrison was supposed to come through but he was too busy and cancelled. That was a bit disappointing for all the volunteers because even his presence would have lifted the spirits of residents," she said.
"The Prime Minister being here could have shown that he does care, and unfortunately the cancellation made many residents feel that he doesn't. We know he is busy but a lot of volunteers were hoping that he'd show up."
Brigadoon resident of 12 months, Michael Duncan said many residents are in need of replacement doors, kitchen cabinets, mattresses, freezers and fridges.
"I'm not too bad, I'll survive. A lot of us got off lightly but there are many older people who are in a worse way," he said.
"I remember that the flood water was chest height on Saturday morning, up the street and out to the bridge. It came up very quick but I think the tide saved a lot of the park because it only raised the water for 12 hours before heading out again."
Brigadoon resident of eight years, Warren Williams said he plans to rebuild and stay in the park.
"We are clearing out everything that is damp at the moment. All the electrical stuff and furniture is gone," he said.
"We are mopping up today, pull the carpets up and letting everything dry out.
"The support has been great. I've been at the Laurieton United Services Club from Saturday to Monday, then we were out at Bonny Hills and moved to Port Macquarie.
"The builder has been out this morning. We will have it done up and remain here."
There is a GoFundMe page active for the Brigadoon rebuild.
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