NSW accepts all flood inquiry proposals, supports land swaps

The NSW Government has accepted all recommendations made by an independent inquiry into this year’s flooding disaster and will move ahead with land swaps and buy-backs for hard-hit communities.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says a new NSW Reconstruction Authority, based on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, will help drive local and regional action to address current issues and future risks.

“We are committed to making sure as we have future development that it does not occur in areas that are subject to significant flooding,” Mr Perrottet said in Lismore last week.

“In addition to that, those people who have lost their homes, who are in dire circumstances, we will work as a result of this report to implement a land swap and buy back scheme that will be targeted in specific areas.”

The Government expects to call for expressions of interest by the end of the month, and is looking at public land that could be made available for the scheme.

Inquiry co-leaders Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller made 28 recommendations in a report putting a strong focus on “being prepared for and resilient to, flood and other natural disasters”.

The Insurance Council of Australia says it particularly welcomes recommendations on land use planning changes and the relocation of homes from the most flood-prone areas.

“We commend the NSW Government on its willingness to listen to the experts, make the significant investments needed, and we look forward to working with the new Reconstruction Authority,” CEO Andrew Hall said.

Suncorp CEO Insurance Product and Portfolio Lisa Harrison says a new authority dedicated to disaster recovery, construction and preparedness is a positive outcome.

“We have seen the critical role the Queensland Reconstruction Authority plays in building a safer and more resilient state,” she said. “Insurers can play an important role in helping the new authority in assessing the impacts of extreme weather, including asset and community-level vulnerability.”

The inquiry received 1494 submissions and held 144 meetings with stakeholders, including face-to-face and online community forums in Lismore, Tumbulgum and Mullumbimby, as well as in the Clarence and Hawkesbury-Nepean regions.