NSW emergency council formed to deal with future disasters

A NSW emergency council called ‘Hawk’ will be created to respond quickly and effectively to future catastrophes, as the government reveals it could $3 billion to buy back and swap flood-impacted properties.

An emergency council called “Hawk” will be established to respond to catastrophes as the NSW government reveals it may cost a staggering $3 billion to buy back and swap flood-impacted properties.

The Saturday Telegraph understands the proposed crisis council will be modelled on the UK committee called “Cobra”, and will comprise Premier Dominic Perrottet and other senior public servants who will convene to discuss the most rapid and effective action for an emerging situation.

In the UK, Cobra, which stands for Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, has been deployed for emergencies such as terrorist attacks, the Novichok poisoning case and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The equivalent body in the US is called the “Situation Room”.

Revelations of the new committee come as the state government was handed a preliminary estimate of a $3 billion recovery bill for the devastating floods which hit the Northern Rivers region.

John Skudder and partner Amy Parker at their flooded Lismore property in March. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Based on some advice from the Northern Rivers ­Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC), the estimate encompasses the cost of the government buying back flood-impacted properties, as well as land swaps, long-term asset rebuilds, and economic recovery.

The government expects the cost to dwarf the Grantham scheme in Queensland after the 2011 floods, which ­involved 110 houses, compared with the estimated 4000 damaged homes in the Northern Rivers.

Premier Dominic Perrottet (left) surveys the ruined Lismore CBD with Mayor Steve Kreig after the March floods. Picture: Toby Zerna

It is understood the NSW government will seek support from the federal government for rebuilding and disaster-proofing communities, given the joint approach adopted in the ­Grantham model.

Details of the Northern Rivers buyback are contained in a three-volume, 700-page flood inquiry report, which addresses the state’s preparation, response and recovery from natural disasters.

The report, which is to be released in the coming weeks, comes amid news Resilience NSW boss Shane Fitzsimmons will be dumped and the disaster agency downsized.

Resilience NSW was ­heavily criticised for its response to the floods in the Northern Rivers during ­February and March.

It could cost NSW upwards of $3b to rehouse or buy back flood-prone properties.

The Telegraph also revealed how authorities had twice rejected offers of help by the Australian Defence Force.

It is understood the report, compiled by former police commissioner Mick Fuller and NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Mary O’Kane, will also recommend the controversial agency be cut to a small office and its ­responsibilities reallocated.

More than 6200 homes were damaged in the record-breaking floods that hit the Northern Rivers region on February 28, with almost half of those in the Lismore local government area.

Mr Perrottet has previously committed to adopting any proposals relating to the possible relocation of homes in flood-prone areas, declaring in June how he would feel “personally responsible” if another flood was to occur “and we’ve just gone back and done the same thing”.

While the flood estimates relate to the Northern Rivers, there have also been calls for buybacks and land swaps to occur in the flood-affected Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.

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