NSW government announces flood disaster inquiry

The independent inquiry, said the government news release, will be led by the state’s chief scientist and engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane and former New South Wales police commissioner Michael Fuller.

The release said the inquiry will consider and “if warranted make recommendations on a range of matters including” the safety of emergency services and community first responders and current and future land use planning and management and building standards in flood prone locations across NSW.

Read more: Flood-affected communities to receive Emergency Response Fund

Other matters up for consideration include appropriate action for communities to adapt to future flood risks and coordination and collaboration between all levels of government.

“No two floods are the same and there is no formulaic response, but when it comes to natural disasters we can never be too prepared,” said Toole.

“The Inquiry will sit alongside our flood recovery efforts and we’ll continue to put everything we can into ensuring we get impacted people and communities back on their feet as quickly as possible,” he said.

The acting Premier said reviewers will travel to and consult directly with affected communities.

The inquiry, said the release, is required to report to the Premier on causation, land use planning and management and related matters by 30 June 2022. All other matters have a reporting deadline of 30 September 2022.

The recent floods across Australia’s east coast have broken records. Thousands were evacuated from their homes, including in western Sydney. Many residents are questioning the disaster response and some politicians are calling for the federal government’s cyclone reinsurance scheme to be expanded to cover flooding.

The Insurance Council of Australia’s (ICA) latest estimate of claims damage costs from the recent floods is approaching $2 billion. Given how few businesses could afford to take out flood insurance, the real cost of the flood damage is much higher.