NSW SES, BOM and Lismore Council questioned over floods

‘You do not push helpers away’: Lismore community speaks on why the survival of the town depends on the 2022 flood inquiry.

Lismore residents have not held back; calling for real and immediate action from a recently kickstarted flood inquiry.

The 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry launched in Lismore on Tuesday, helmed by Professor Mary O‘Kane and retired NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.

But residents warned the state review cannot be like others.

Following the 2017 floods, an independent review of the NSW State Emergency Service Operational Response was conducted.

A total of 36 recommendations were made, including that NSW SES ensures media ‘blackouts’ do not occur during major crises and that the service strengthens local links between emergency responders, local councils and community development professionals.

It was also recommended that SES redesigns flood bulletins to have levee overtopping information clearly identified at the top.

Yet some Lismore residents feel very little was learnt from what was then the worst flood on record.

Christine Devine, who attended Tuesday’s community meeting for the 2022 NSW Flood inquiry went as far to say “nothing happened” following 2017.

“The council said they were going to do this and that but nothing actually happened,” she said.

“It’s just dismal and locals ended up saving everybody.

“They’re all liable with our lives … the government, the council, they put us in danger. We’re still in danger and we will be in danger until something gets done.”

Ms Devine detailed her harrowing journey through floods as her son-in-law rescued herself and others that tragic morning of February.

Jumped in a kayak with granddaughter and dog

In 2017, floodwater only went up to the back deck and she believed she was more prepared this time round.

However, by 3.30am on the day of the floods, the levee broke, and Ms Devine had to jump over her deck to a kayak with her seven-year-old granddaughter and dog.

“I have never experienced that tsunami of water, it was like a big bomb going off,” Ms Devine said.

Her son-in-law Max went on to save her sister and her two kids from their roofs and another family stranded with a eight-month child near the CBD.

SES volunteers worked tirelessly throughout Northern NSW flooding but questions have been place to those in charge of the organisation. Picture: Toby Zerna

Her story was corroborated by local vet and flood volunteer Bruno who took to the Tuesday meeting to voice frustration over an “underprepared” state emergency service.

Volunteers should be liable to criticism

“I have a huge issue with volunteers not being able to be criticised because they’re volunteers,” he said.

“I think that’s completely wrong when you have volunteers who are directing people, they are therefore liable to criticism.

“The SES have to be open to major reflection on their response here in Lismore.

“You do not push helpers away when there is something clearly catastrophic happening in the region.”

He also said the data from Bureau of Meteorology was “dangerously slow” stopping people from making informed and timely decisions.

The speaker who had lived in Lismore his whole life said in the future more help was needed than just links to government assistance.

“Every level of government is open to criticism, right from the premier down,” he said.

“I hope these inquiries go somewhere.

“The area is on its knees and unless every tier of government is open to criticism, is open to feedback, is open to change, the area will die.”

The inquiry report will be presented to Premier Dominic Perrottet on September 30.

Online submissions can be made here.