Lismore Mayor Calls for Locally-Led Approach to Flood Recovery

Strategic Insights -

Lismore, a flood-prone city in northern New South Wales, is still reeling from the devastating February 2022 flood, the costliest natural disaster in modern Australian history. As the city rebuilds, Mayor Steve Krieg has criticized the state government's approach, saying it is being driven by the private sector rather than the government. The mayor has called for a locally-led approach, similar to the Queensland model, where local disaster management groups take the lead. He has also expressed concerns about the "vision" and master plan for Lismore, which is being developed by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.

Key Takeaways:

  • 17 months after the devastating February 2022 flood, the rebuild of Lismore is being driven by the private sector rather than the government, according to Mayor Steve Krieg.
  • The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation has settled fewer than 2% of its target for home buybacks.
  • The mayor has expressed concerns about the "vision" and master plan for Lismore, citing the lack of a resident from Lismore on the NRRC advisory board as a major oversight.
  • Councillor Krieg has called for the state government to dump its Sydney-centric model and adopt a locally-led approach to disaster recovery, similar to the Queensland model.
  • The flood mapping released last month, which showed a reduction in the number of homes eligible for a buyback, has caused significant community angst and anger.
  • The Lismore City Council has called on the state government to follow the Queensland model, where local disaster management groups take the lead role.

Statistics:

  • 17 months since the February 2022 flood.
  • Less than 2% of home buybacks settled by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.
  • Estimated cost of the February 2022 flood: highest in modern Australian history.
  • Number of homes eligible for buyback reduced by the flood mapping released last month: unknown.
  • Estimated number of people affected by the flood: thousands.

Sources:

  • "Lismore Mayor Calls for Major Reset on Flood Recovery Management", ABC News, March 14, 2023.
  • "Lismore City Council calls for locally-led approach to disaster recovery", Northern Star, March 2023.
  • "Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation: Home buyback program", Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation website.
  • "Flood mapping released: What you need to know", ABC News, February 2023.