Acting NSW Prime Minister Paul Toole says “we need a better response in the future” after announcing an inquiry into the devastating floods that have hit the state.
Key points:
- An interim report is to be issued by 30 June
- Public consultations will take place in flood-affected communities
- The acting prime minister says the inquiry is working alongside flood recovery efforts
The government has announced that it will conduct an independent investigation by recently retired police commissioner Michael Fuller and planning commission president Mary O’Kane – the state’s initial chief scientist and engineer from 2008 to 2018.
Mr Toole said Mr Fuller and Professor O’Kane were listening to the community’s ideas and urging the government to act on their recommendations.
“No two floods are ever the same, no two natural disasters are ever the same, but we need to make sure we respond better to them,” he said.
“Any changes that are important that save lives and better protect properties must be listened to.”
The announcement comes as protesters dumped rubbish from the Lismore floods outside the Prime Minister’s Sydney home to call for action against climate change.
Asked to look at the state’s readiness, recovery and response to the recent flood emergency, the inquiry comes as the concerned government accuses them of leaving.
The “catastrophic” floods have broken many records across the state’s river systems with the cleanup bill expected to raise $ 240 million, according to Australia’s Insurance Board.
An initial report is due to be completed by June 30 with the survey completed by September.
Mr Toole said the time frame allows NSW to proceed “quickly” with the prevention process.
“We have always said we will do everything we can to improve our natural disaster management, and this inquiry is an important step in that process,” Mr Toole said.
Communities have begun the daunting task of recovery – removing debris, mud and built-up black mud – in a process that is expected to take months.
Just last week, caravans, refrigerators and pontoons were among the tons of waste still washing up along the Hawkesbury River.
In the hard-hit region of northern NSW, it is estimated that more than 3,000 houses in the Lismore Local Government Area were rated as “uninhabitable”.
At the height of the crisis, many residents waited for hours for roofs, due to a lack of emergency personnel and equipment.
Remarkable stories have emerged of locals and “tinnies” carrying out various rescues, but while praised for their efforts, the locals argue that the over-reliance on volunteers needs to change.
The victims were also asked why untrained people were left to fill the critical gaps in the flood rescue.
The ABC was also told about breakdowns in the communications infrastructure, including problems achieving Triple-0.
Mr Toole said all of these issues should be considered in the review, but stressed that it does not affect the work that is being done to help people rebuild their lives.
“The investigation will sit next to our flood recovery efforts,” he said.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that we get people and communities concerned back on their feet as soon as possible.”
The request is required to report on:
- Causes and factors contributing to the frequency, intensity, timing and location of floods
- Preparation and planning of agencies in the community for floods in NSW
- Responses to floods, in particular measures to protect life, real estate and the environment
- The transition from incident response to recovery
- Recovery, including housing, cleaning, financial support, community
- Commitment and longer-term community building
It can consider recommendations and make “when justified” in areas including:
- Security of emergency services and community responders
- Current and future land use planning and management and building standards and floodplains across NSW
- Appropriate action to adapt future flood risks to the communities and their surroundings
- Coordination and cooperation between all levels of government.
Details of public consultations and where submissions can be made will be “published soon”.
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