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Monday, July 17, 2023

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg says government-led flood recovery 'embarrassing', calls for local-led approach - ABC News

The mayor of the flood-prone city of Lismore has called for a major reset on flood recovery management and for the NSW premier to dump the state's Sydney-centric model in favour of a locally-led approach.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said 17 months on from the devastating February 2022 flood, the private-sector-led rebuild was far outpacing government efforts.

"It is embarrassing, our government should be driving the reconstruction, but it's the private sector who are doing more good to get people back into their homes," he said.

"It's really hard to lead a reconstruction effort out of Sydney. Everyone can agree the model is not working."

The mayor cited concerns about the "vision" and master plan for Lismore, as it rebuilds from the costliest natural disaster in modern Australian history.

three people standing outside in the rain outside council chambers
Mayor Steve Krieg (centre), pictured with council staff, says locals are still hurting. (ABC North Coast: Bronwyn Herbert)

"The [Northern Rivers] Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) said, 'Work with us, we'll fund it,' but that hasn't happened" he said.

"We can't keep putting this stuff off, waiting for an expert from overseas or a powerpoint presentation,

"The corporation's plan is to unveil [the city master plan] in December next year and that's not good enough for our community who are so badly hurt, both physically and emotionally."

Councillor Krieg said the fact there was not a resident from Lismore on the NRRC advisory board was a major oversight that needed to be revisited.

Aerial of flooded Richmond River High School and Lismore greyhound track
It is still unclear where key government services and schools will be relocated. (Supplied: Jenny Dowell)

Flood mapping causing angst

Councillor Krieg said flood mapping released last month, which showed a reduction in the number of homes eligible for a buyback, caused significant community angst and anger.

"If it's so safe, as our mapping gurus are saying, well let's get the infrastructure built," he said.

"Let's get Richmond River high school rebuilt, let's get Service NSW rebuilt, let's make it all happen.

"If we are going to leave these people in the flood plain, let's get into flood mitigation."

Soldiers remove flood-damaged equipment and furniture during a clean up of Richmond River High School in Lismore.
Richmond River High suffered enormous damage in the 2022 flood. (Supplied: Max Bree)

Lismore City Council has called on the state government to follow the Queensland model of disaster recovery, in which local disaster management groups take the lead role.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation has settled fewer than 2 per cent of its target for home buybacks.

The office of the NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully, the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation and the NSW Reconstruction Authority have all been contacted for comment.

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Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg says government-led flood recovery 'embarrassing', calls for local-led approach - ABC News
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