NSW government announces more funding for Resilient Homes Program and wider flood recovery in northern NSW
New funding has been announced to help bolster the crawling northern NSW flood recovery 18 months after thousands were left homeless – but community leaders say it’s not enough. Find out more.
Regional News
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The state government has announced the long-awaited second portion of funding for the Resilient Homes Program 18 months after the record 2022 floods left thousands of Northern Rivers residents homeless.
But community leaders say it’s just not enough to help those still in need.
A new $150 million Community Restoration Flood Fund has been revealed in the 2023-24 NSW Budget to help communities in the Northern Rivers and Central West.
Of that, a cash injection of $100 million has been flagged for the Resilient Homes Program facilitating property buybacks, house raisins and retrofits.
Separately, Planning Minister Paul Scully said the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which runs the Program, has been allocated another $121 million to “properly fund” it and “ensure communities are better prepared for natural disasters and can recover faster”.
The Flood Fund will also be used for Priority Disaster Adaptation Plans to prepare communities for future disasters and repair and replace infrastructure like roads and bridges.
It also comes with “further assistance with housing programs, with work to be further developed with councils and community leaders”.
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said she hoped the funding would help “make our communities stronger into the future as the climate delivers greater risks and shocks” – but it was not enough.
“Unfortunately the funding is nowhere near enough to fund the second tranche of home buybacks identified by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation,” she said.
“That means there are around 650 families who will not be offered a buyback, even though they have been identified to be in high priority areas.
“In terms of long term resilience, buybacks and land swaps really do seem to me to be the best solution to keeping our community safe.”
Mr Scully and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said in a statement the Authority “will work closely with local community leaders to prioritise the additional funding and determine potential future funding which may be required“ over the next two months.
Richmond Valley Council general manager Vaughan Macdonald said any support was welcomed, but more detail was needed as the council pushed for equitable support.
“Council’s priority is to continue rebuilding stronger and more resilient communities, focusing on the health and wellbeing of our people, as well as the repair of property and restoration of the environment,” he said.
State Labor MP for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin – a flood victim herself – said the Northern Rivers will require “much more” financial support, though the new funding is a start.
“I have fought hard for this funding and I will continue to fight for more, for every cent we need for our recovery,” she said
“No matter who is in power in Sydney I will always fight for our community and our recovery.”
Since 2019, NSW has seen more than 60 declared disasters, costing the state $5 billion.
A staggering 20,000 homes were damaged in the disasters statewide in 2022 – with 6500 in Northern NSW.
Mr Scully said: “The 2022 floods exposed several ongoing risks across NSW due to the changing climate and longstanding land uses.”
“The NSW Government recognises that recovery is not a short-term fix and requires evidence-based planning and community leadership,” he said.
The $100 million for the program comes as Premier Chris Minns issued a call to the Federal government to fork out more cash for recovery, admitting the state’s new injection “will not be enough”.
“It was a Commonwealth/state arrangement to fund tranche two (of funding), so we will be going to the commonwealth for additional funds for the Northern Rivers,” he said.
Additional financial help to assist flood victims was flagged by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Premier Dominic Perrottet in October last year.
“We have every right to say to the Commonwealth Government that as a state, we have contributed to significantly to disaster recovery across the state and we expect the Commonwealth to come to the table,” Mr Minns said.
“If they don’t provide it, we’ll go it alone.”
Meanwhile, the Authority recently confirmed a “peer review” into how housing support is allocated after flood victims spoke out about being refused help.
Frustrated locals slammed authorities over the management of recovery and called for a “reset” – essentially a more grassroots-led approach.
Janelle Saffin said “locals need to be at the heart of our recovery,” and the Authority “must work with local community leaders”.
Mr Scully said the NSW Reconstruction Authority “will work closely with local community leaders” over the next two months “to prioritise the additional funding and determine potential future funding which may be required”.
Service NSW has also received an additional $58 million to improve client services after reports of poor service from flood-battered communities.
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