Coffs Harbour Marina lashed by 6m waves

10:36 PM Fri 22 May 2009 GMT

'Created to be the ideal safe haven, Coffs Harbour Marina has suffered from the direct onslaught of massive waves.' . Click Here to view large photo

Known as a safe and sheltered harbour, Coffs Harbour marina is copping a battering in the wild weather that has swept down the east coast.

Coffs has become the evacuation point for people in the region, as the Clarence River level rises to record levels, threatening houses and businesses in Grafton and surrounding towns, as well as further north in Lismore.

Six metre waves are breaking boat moorings and crashing in to the northern break wall. Coast guard and water police vessels have been working to secure vessels. According to reports, there have been breakages on the actual fingers of the marinas.

Coffs Harbour Marina. - ..

The New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees toured flooded Lismore at lunchtime yesterday, declaring the city and neighbouring towns natural disaster zones.

The Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle and the Clarence Valley have been declared natural disaster areas and Mr Rees says financial support will soon start to flow for local councils.

The premier said: 'The people in this area are an extraordinarily resilient group of people. They deal with these sorts of situations with a level of frequency that must test their patience. And we will match their resilience with our support and our resources.'

by Jeni Bone