‘Cruel hoax’: Just 16 per cent of rental support scheme paid to Lismore flood victims

With nine days left until applications for NSW’s flood recovery rental support close, only a small percentage of victims have been paid.

Just 16 per cent of applicants for a rental support scheme meant to help flood-devastated Lismore residents have been paid out, with the program deemed a “cruel hoax”.

Only 1,937 of 11,719 applicants to the NSW government’s $285m flood recovery rental support scheme have been approved and paid, a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the flood response heard on Wednesday.

More than 7000 applicants have been ruled ineligible, with the scheme set to close on June 24.

During the hearing, Catherine Ellis, an executive director at Service NSW, said flood-hit Lismore residents had 28 days to provide documentation to prevent fraud.

But Labor’s Walt Secord said residents frequently had all their belongings – including personal documents – destroyed in the floods.

A general view of demolished houses in Lismore after the devastation of recent floods. Months later, thousands of residents remain homeless and are struggling to recover. Picture: Patrick Hamilton / AFP

“They have no documentation. Everything, including their lives had been washed away. So they have 28 days to provide non-existent documentation,” he said.

“I put it to you that flood support and support from this government is a cruel hoax and that you have no intention of providing support.”

The Commissioner of Resilience NSW, Shane Fitzsimmons, told the hearing every disaster relief fund had been changed to make it easier for victims to access them.

“I don’t think there’s an off-the-shelf item in terms of disaster relief and funding arrangements that has not been modified or adjusted,” he said.

The inquiry continues.