Lismore MP Janelle Saffin on what to expect for electorate in upcoming NSW Budget

Re-elected Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has flagged a renewed government focus and more funding to help her electorate and the wider Northern Rivers bounce back after the 2022 floods.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin after he re-election in March. Picture: Cath Piltz

Re-elected Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has flagged a renewed state government focus and more funding to help her electorate bounce back after the record 2022 floods.

It comes after Labor government Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced when the 2023-24 Budget will be handed down - and warned about “pressures” which were “difficult to avoid”.

Ms Saffin said despite the challenges she expected more funding to ramp up flood recovery and to gradually tackle housing needs, amid a shortage in the Northern Rivers.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey. Picture: Jeremy Piper

She said she hoped to see “a continuation of course with the Resilient Homes Program” - which provides financial assistance to homeowners to improve flood-resilience - by way of another round of funding.

“Not everything has to be locked into the budget, but at least a commitment that we have that (the second tranche of funding) underway because it wasn’t underway with the last government,” Ms Saffin said.

The program includes home buybacks, raising and retrofits.

Ms Saffin said funding to increase housing availability “the good basics”, was important.

“I did secure a $30m build to rent (scheme), so I’d to see that underway,” she said.

“One of the election commitments was a little bit of money to do an Economic and Environmental Recovery Plan, which I want to see happen.”

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg, Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and Premier Chris Minns in Lismore after the state election. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Before Ms Saffin was re-elected as Lismore MP, she said she would ensure people living in the electorate and wider Northern Rivers region were heard, justly treated and not forgotten by decision-makers in Sydney and Canberra.

She was critical of the speed of flood recovery under the former Liberal government.

In the wake of the election, the government announced Sydney politician Rose Jackson MP as the Minister for the North Coast.

Ms Saffin backed the choice, but declined to say whether she would have accepted the role.

Janelle Saffin at her flood-damaged home at Boat Harbour in Lismore. Picture: Cath Piltz

During a trip to Lismore in April, Premier Chris Minns said Lismore was “not forgotten” and the government was “here to listen” and help the Northern Rivers community move forward.

Mr Mookhey said in his announcement NSW faced significant economic challenges.

“We have high inflation, higher interest rates, historic debt - and this is about painting a full and honest picture about what is really going on,” he said.

Mr Mookhey said challenges could not be fixed overnight and he pointed to a focus on essential services.

The budget will be handed down in September.