A resident of a small Victorian town significantly affected by last October's floods has been left stunned after home security cameras captured tradesmen behaving badly while on her property.
Key points:
Security footage from a flood-damaged home in Skipton shows tradies behaving badly on the property
Insurer QBE has apologised for the behaviour of the independent sub-contractors
The town of about 600 people has struggled to get back on its feet after two significant floods in the past 12 years
The CCTV provided to the ABC shows two sub-contractors during a visit to the flood-damaged home, insured by QBE, in Skipton earlier this year.
At one point, one of the tradies can be seen urinating behind a fence.
The same worker is later shown removing a dead animal from inside the bluestone home, placing it on the doorstep and laughing.
Later on, the sub-contractors can be heard discussing the property, describing it as having a "beautiful garden" but "s**t house".
The footage was taken from the 170-year-old home of Maree White, whose property was one of 23 affected by the flood.
Ms White said the workers were told they were being recorded on the security cameras when they arrived to strip out the home of debris and spray fungicide.
"At first I couldn't believe what I was seeing … it's insulting, it's my home," she said of the footage.
"I've already had a blow from the floods and [it] feels like just another punch from them behaving disrespectfully to my property."
In a statement, a QBE spokesperson said as soon as it was made aware of the footage it contacted the supplier who engaged the independent sub-contractors to "take appropriate disciplinary action".
"We apologise for this unacceptable behaviour, and understand that the individual involved is no longer employed by the supplier. We are working closely with the supplier to ensure that this does not occur again."
ABC understands the "individual" referred to in the statement is the sub-contractor shown in the two clips at the start of the supplied video.
'Frustrating' delay
Mount Emu Creek, which runs through the centre of Skipton, peaked at 5.7 metres on October 14, 2022.
Eight months on from the flood, Ms White says it is still unclear as to when repairs will start on her home, which is fully insured by QBE with flood cover.
"Only in the last few weeks have they offered me a cash settlement amount which was significantly low, with low labour rates for trades and materials," she said.
"It's been frustrating."
Ms White said although insurance was covering the cost of her temporary accommodation in Ballarat, it was not the same as living in her Skipton home.
"I just want my house back."
Businesses battling
Skipton was recently dealt another blow with the closure of its colourful cafe and store, Emu Creek Deli and Gifts.
Owner Kim Haley shared that the most recent flood was a major reason for her shutting the doors on the business last month after more than five years in operation.
In a post to social media, she wrote, "Always remember treat each day as your last, and remember tomorrow is never promised".
Skipton's pub has not re-opened since the January 2011 flood, which is the largest in the town's history. The closest watering hole is about 18 kilometres away in the town of Linton.
Thousands paid out
Following the most recent flood, the federal government announced financial support for affected residents.
The Corangamite Shire, which takes in Skipton, was among 23 Victorian local government areas that could make a claim through the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).
According to a Services Australia spokesperson, 74 claims worth $85,200 have been granted to people within the shire.
In addition to this, Skipton Lions Club Inc has donated about $9,000 to affected residents through its fundraising efforts.
Club president Nic Bryne said a further $8,522 would be given out to residents in need in the coming weeks following a club meeting.
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