NSW Flood inquiry: Tweed Shire Council submits 15 recommendations

Better communication networks and equal distribution of emergency funding were just two recommendations the Tweed Shire Council has submitted to the flood inquiry.

Paid emergency response personnel, planning reforms and better communication networks are just part of the Tweed Shire Council’s recommendations to the 2022 NSW flood inquiry.

The council tabled the 40 page report at the latest meeting which outlined 15 recommendations for the independent inquiry being led by Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Michael Fuller APM.

The inquiry looks into the causes of and factors contributing to the frequency, intensity, timing and location of floods; preparation and planning by agencies and the community for floods in NSW; responses to floods, particularly measures to protect life, property and the environment; the transition from incident response to recovery; recovery, including housing, clean-up, financial support, community engagement and longer-term community rebuilding.

The report tabled by the Tweed Shire Council meeting makes 15 recommendations surrounding, warning systems, first responders, communication and electricity networks, funding and procurement, insurance, flood mitigation, environment, planning reforms, employment lands, roads, voluntary house purchase and raising schemes, fees and charges, safety of all emergency service personnel and community first responders, community and state natural disaster management plans.

Mayor Chris Cherry at the NSW Flood inquiry session at Tumbulgum Hall. Picture: Liana Walker

At the meeting Mayor Chris Cherry said a tremendous amount of work went into the report, highlighting the need for consolidating grant funding for flood victims.

“The commonwealth and state funding needs to happen in that first 24 hours,” she said.

“As soon as the area has a natural disaster declaration, we need that funding – it needs to be equally distributed

“I don’t think anyone wants to see the uncertainty after this flood again.”

The council submission recommends a review into the weather warning systems and investment into community education of those systems.

It asks consideration be given to the reform of emergency agencies, including the State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue to merge into one overall emergency response agency that works collaboratively with the police.

The M1 between Fingal Road, Chinderah Cudgera Creek Road, Cudgera was blocked by flood waters as low-lying parts of Tweed Heads were ordered to evacuate rising flood waters Monday 28 February 2022. Picture: Tweed-Byron Police District

Other recommendations include a call for investment in alternative emergency broadcasting or internet connection, including and provision of community communications hubs that can be deployed to impacted communities rapidly; a review into the M1’s flood immunity at Chinderah and for clarity into who is responsible for crown roads.

Ms Cherry also called for a simpler tender process for repairs of mayor roads such as Scenic Drive.

Councillors unanimously endorsed the report for submission.

The Flood Inquiry is required to report to the Premier on causation, land use planning and management and related matters by June 30, 2022, and on all other matters by September 30, 2022.