The Northern Rivers Times
February 22, 2024!!!
24 NEWS
Greens back community demands for fully funded flood recovery, as two-year anniversary approaches Greens representatives and local candidate joined a community meeting to seek additional funding for the Resilient Homes Program, as thousands of flood survivors continue to go without buybacks, retrofits and raises nearly two years after the devastating floods of 2022. The Greens MPs and candidate in attendance include: • Tamara Smith MP, Member for Ballina and NSW Greens Disaster Relief Spokesperson • Mandy Nolan, Greens candidate for Richmond • Sue Higginson MLC, NSW Greens North Coast Spokesperson, and • Amanda Cohn MLC, NSW Greens Emergency Services Spokesperson. In December of last year, 38 community groups signed an open letter demanding $700m in additional funding for the Resilient Homes Program from state and federal Labor governments, as well as a clear timeline for delivery and better communication from the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Following the 2023 state election, Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that “$1.6
million was promised” to the Resilient Homes and Lands Programs. And yet, nearly two years on from the floods, an estimated three-quarters of flood survivors have been deemed ineligible for the Program due to a $700m shortfall in funding. Only 8% of applicants have been declared eligible in Byron Shire. Despite Premier Minns promising to seek further funds from the federal Labor government, local Labor MP Justine Elliot maintains the state government has not requested further funding. The Greens are calling for state and federal governments to announce the promised $700 million in funding for buybacks, retrofits and raises before the two-year flood anniversary on February 28th. Quotes attributable
to Tamara Smith, Member for Ballina: “Why is it that our community has to do the heavy lifting again and again when it comes to demanding the flood recovery we were promised and that has still not been delivered?” “In the two years since the catastrophic flood events there have been less than 10 families in my electorate supported by the Resilient Homes program!” “I’m in awe of the resilience of our community and their determination to stand up for the support they deserve and I’ve got their back 100%.” “We will not stop standing up on this issue. Just last week, I questioned the Premier on this funding shortfall and I will keep the pressure up alongside our incredible community.” Quotes attributable to Mandy Nolan,
Greens candidate for Richmond: “It was incredible to sit with the flood-affected community today and work together to find the best way to hold our governments to account and get a fully funded flood recovery for our region,” said Mandy. “In just a couple of weeks, it will have been 2 years since the floods, 2 years since those whose homes were flooded were promised financial support to recover. Thousands of those people are still waiting. “We’ve got state and federal Labor governments that could fix the funding shortfall in a heartbeat but they simply refuse. The biggest takeaway from today was that we need to keep putting pressure on the government to provide the funding we were promised. “The Greens stand
behind the community’s demands for the State and Federal Government to jointly fund the resilient homes program so that all 6,000 applicants receive support. “Our federal Member for Richmond needs to join the calls of our community and demand the State Government act to fully fund our recovery instead of passing the buck. Quotes attributable to, Sue Higginson, Greens NSW MP: “The NSW Labor Government has failed to deliver on their commitments to fully support flood-impacted residents in the Northern Rivers.” “Here in the Northern Rivers we have been through hell, and making things worse is the continued failure of the Government to facilitate and fund the communityled recovery we need and
have been demanding.” “Climate impacted communities are being failed by both sides of politics, with Labor and the Nationals more interested in giving billions to fossil fuel interests while drip feeding funds for disaster recovery.” “We need a radical shift in focus from the Government, who are insistent on top-down approaches which are focussed on quick fixes and continuing to allow development in highrisk areas, to putting communities, safety and the environment first.” “Climate change is here, it is not going to go away, and disasters will become more intense and more frequent. The Government needs to work with our communities to get this right, for all of our sakes.” Quotes attributable to Amanda Cohn, Greens NSW MP: “The Northern Rivers region is a model for the strength of communityled disaster recovery and resilience. It’s past time for the state and federal government to get behind this approach which will benefit many more disaster-impacted communities in future”
Lismore Council Urges Immediate Removal of Terania Street Bridge Lismore City Council is urgently advocating for the removal of the 130-year-old Terania Street Bridge, owned by Transport for NSW, citing significant disruptions and safety concerns. Following a resolution passed at the October 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council is urging Transport for NSW to expedite the removal of not only the Terania Street Bridge but also several other bridges under their ownership, including those on Union Street, Frank Street, Crane Street, Alexandria Parade, and Winterton Parade.
Mayor Steve Krieg emphasized the crucial role of Terania Street in connecting residents to the Lismore CBD,
highlighting the frequent road closures due to vehicle collisions and structural issues with the bridge. He pointed to a
recent incident as further evidence of the urgent need for action. “We’re currently awaiting decisions
from Transport for NSW regarding our plan to remove the Terania Street Bridge and other rail bridges,”
Mayor Krieg said. “We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we work towards making our City safer and more accessible for everyone.” The Terania Street Bridge, built in 1894, was heritage-listed in 1999 due to its unique construction and design, particularly in a floodprone area. Currently, Terania Street is closed at the railway bridge, with detours established for vehicles via Wilson Street, Elliott Road, and Ballina Road, and for pedestrians and cyclists via Pine, Crane, and Tweed streets.
