The Northern Rivers Times
December 21, 2023
4 NEWS
Flood affected residents in the Northern Rivers protest outside Labor MPs offices asking for more funding By Sarah Waters Mullumbimby resident Noelle Maxwell is one of the thousands of Northern Rivers residents who have been left traumatised by the 2022 floods and now she and her fellow residents have banded together to demand more from the state and federal governments. On Tuesday, December 12, a community protest was held outside the Tweed office of Federal Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot and the office of Lismore Labor MP Janelle Saffin. The protest attracted dozens of residents and local organisations, which signed an open letter demanding a fully funded flood recovery. It was backed by the Green’s Member for Ballina Tamara Smith and Greens candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan. Ms Maxwell said the floods were deeply traumatic for her and so many other people and they’ve been kept in limbo for nearly two years. “To have no idea if you’ll ever receive the support you need to return home has needlessly compounded that trauma,” she said. “My house was flooded so badly that I have not been able to return, but I’ve been told multiple times that I’m not eligible for house raising. “So even if I did fix my house, it would be devastated in the next inevitable flood. “All we’re asking
SPEAKING UP: Frustration continues to build over the lack of transparency towards Northern Rivers flood victims
for is certainty and the financial support we were promised to return to our homes.” The open letter asks the state and federal governments to jointly provide funding to cover what has been identified as a $700m shortfall in the Resilient Homes Program, before the end of the year. Cabinet figures suggested the delivery of 6000 home buybacks, retrofits and raises, indicated by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Authority (NRRC), would cost $1.5 billion. An initial round of $700m in funding was allocated last year through the Resilient Homes Program. Three months ago, Labor revealed a new $150 million Community Restoration Flood Fund in its 2023-24 NSW Budget to support disaster impacted
communities in the Northern Rivers and Central West. $100 million of the Community Restoration Flood Fund will
adaptation plans, repair and replacement of critical community assets and improving the resilience of public infrastructure.
Federal member for Richmond Justine Elliot
be go towards the second instalment of the Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers. The rest will go towards priority disaster
The Greens have since been calling for the Resilient Homes Program’s second tranche of $700m in funding, to make up the $1.5 billion needed to
cover the 6000 affected houses. In addition, flood affected residents said they want clear and appropriate timelines for the delivery of 4000 retrofits and house raises and 2000 buybacks for homes affected by the 2022 flood event. They also want assurance that the NSW Reconstruction Authority operates transparently and communicates sensitively with community members. It is estimated three quarters of flood survivors have gone without any financial support from the Resilient Homes Program. Member for Ballina Tamara Smith, who is also the NSW Greens disaster relief spokesperson, said she was proud to see flood survivors raising their voices.
“We were promised 6000 buybacks, retrofits and house-raises from the Resilient Homes Program, but thousands of people are missing out thanks to a $700m funding shortfall,” Ms Smith said. “It’s been nearly two years, and over three quarters of flood-affected people are still living in fear and uncertainty after being denied the house-raises, buybacks and retrofits they need to protect their homes,” she said. Greens candidate for the Federal seat of Richmond Mandy Nolan further criticised the state and federal Labor governments. “The Greens stand behind the communities demands for the state and federal governments to jointly fund the resilient homes program so that all 6000 applicants receive support. “Our current federal Member is the only Northern Rivers politician who is yet to call for this additional $700m to be delivered.” In response, Member for Richmond Justine Elliot reiterated the Resilient Homes Program is a NSW state government program that is part funded by the Commonwealth in partnership with the NSW state government. “The NSW State Government fund the remainder of the program and is responsible for its delivery and operation,” Ms Elliot said. Continued page 6
