Northern Rivers floods left 'scar on my community': MP

The northern NSW community is scarred by catastrophic flooding that hit the area last year and has still not fully healed, a newly-elected state MP says.

"The 2022 floods have left a scar on my community that has not healed, but is slowly healing," newly-elected Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson said.

The Clarence electorate sits next to the Northern Rivers and was badly hit by the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, which killed five people and destroyed 5000 homes. 

"Our area area has been dealt some rough hands," Mr Williamson said during his first speech to state parliament.

"If it wasn't the drought, it was the fires , which destroyed hundreds of homes in my electorate.

"If it wasn't the fires, it was the biblical-sized floods that displaced thousands. Today hundreds still remain without a home.

"The 2022 floods have left a scar on my community that has not healed, but is slowly healing."

Locals from the area continue to wait for their lives to return to normal after the historic floods, including 85-year-old Bob May from the riverside town of Woodburn, who had to be rescued in a tinny during the catastrophic flooding.

Mr May continues to wait for his home to be purchased as part of the government's $520 million home buyback scheme, Mr Williamson said.

Many children in the area have also not returned to their schools after the widespread devastation, he said.

"I'm not saying this is anyone's fault, but it highlights the enormity of the job at hand following the floods."

The MP, who grew up on Coutts Crossing, a small town south of Grafton in northern NSW, is also a former radio announcer and mayor of the Clarence Valley.

The newly-elected member for Camden Sally Quinnell also reflected on catastrophic flooding which hit the southwest Sydney area in March last year, saying it had brought out the best in the community.

During the floods, a local farmer lost his herd as they swam through floodwaters overnight, eventually stranding themselves at Camden Public School.

"The relieved farmer then walked the flock down the street to the delight of local school children," she said.

"The town managed to find some enjoyment amongst the amidst the chaos and fear - this is what Camden people are like."