Minister dodges questions about Lismore flood review

MINISTER for Emergency Services dodged questions about why Lismore City Council wasn’t informed about the recently instigated independent flood review.

Lismore City Council unanimously resolved to request an independent review from the State Government on Tuesday night. Picture: Alina Rylko

THURSDAY 2.15pm: MINISTER for Emergency Services Troy Grant dodged questions about why Lismore City Council wasn't informed about the recently instigated independent flood review.

Mr Grant confirmed former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Dave Owens officially launched the review into the NSW State Emergency Service response to the North Coast Floods this week.

He said Mr Owens, who heads the review, had attended SES internal and external post flood reviews in recent weeks.

"The NSW SES has already held numerous post flood community forums and operational reviews to build information around the community's experiences and perspectives, and to discuss ways that the NSW SES can continue to work with affected communities and further improve the services it provides," Mr Grant said in a statement.

"I invite the Council to engage with Mr Owens and to put forward their suggestions and observations.

"The NSW Government made a commitment to the communities of the North Coast that it would help them rebuild and recover from this disaster and we're doing just that. "

Mr Grant said the council "can meet with the NSW SES to discuss any potential operational changes, or preparations for future flood events" when the review concludes.

He didn't comment about Lismore City Council's motion that was carried on Tuesday night.

THURSDAY 12pm: LISMORE Mayor Isaac Smith has said he was 'surprised' at the State Government's secret launch of an independent review into the March/April floods.

The office of Minster for Emergency Services, Troy Grant confirmed an independent review of the floods was underway led by former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Dave Owens.

It comes just days after an unaware Lismore City Council passed a motion to request an independent review to Minister Grant.

Cr Smith said "it would have been nice to know (about the review) ... before the vote on Tuesday night".

To Cr Smith's understanding, none of the councillors nor the executive team, including general manager Gary Murphy knew of the Minister's plans to start a review.

"At this stage, we don't know anything about the review," Cr Smith said.

He anticipates the review will create more transparent consultation processes between state and local government.

During the review, Cr Smith said it was vital the community "are involved in a detailed way" as it was a key driver of the region's recovery process.

He hopes the Minister will take into consideration Tuesday night's carried motion during the review process, particularly by ensuring the report is finalised by November 1 before the flood season begins.

"Every business and house (in Lismore) needs a detailed plan before, during and after a flood," Cr Smith said.

He said ideas about how to prepare before, during and after floods was not enough to bolster community safety during fierce weather events.

Cr Smith said he hoped the review would spark a national campaign and preparation plans similar to those that came out of the Victoria's Black Saturday fires.

He said a similar campaign and planning strategies must translate to all natural disasters such as floods.

The independent reviewer, Mr Owens was the state's emergency operations controller for about four years until August 2011.

The policeman of three decades also led the state's response and emergency personnel deployment for the Victoria's Black Saturday bushfires.