NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Simon Draper on renewed northern NSW flood recovery efforts

Councils, MPs and grassroots groups will help lead the charge in a “locally led” North Coast flood recovery “reset”, says the state boss behind the rebuild. Here’s what we know.

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Simon Draper has confirmed a review into how Resilient Homes Program aid is allocated.

Councils, MPs and grassroots groups will help lead the charge in a much-needed “locally led” North Coast flood recovery “reset”, says the state government boss behind the rebuild.

NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) chief executive officer Simon Draper has already announced a review into how Resilient Homes Program aid has been doled out in the region.

It comes after the beleaguered Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation was absorbed into the authority, and as flood survivors remain in the lurch 18 months after the 2022 disasters.

A Reclaim our Recovery rally outside a Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation pop-up stall on Carrington Street, Lismore in June.

Calls for a reset on the bungled flood recovery grew in intensity in June as victims accused authorities of gaslighting and treating them like “garbage”.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg was part of the push and he slammed recovery “delays, misinformation and uncertainty”.

Lismore Mayor Steve Kreig walks the main street of Lismore early last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Danielle Smith

In July, Mr Draper agreed communities needed to be more involved in the recovery, but he did not expand on what a locally led effort might look like.

Mr Draper said the renewed recovery would be made up of three levels.

Lismore on February 28 last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire.

A “senior level of governance” involves a “community leaders forum” of local MPs and mayors established to consult with residents about what is needed in the recovery.

Mr Draper said councils as a whole will also provide more guidance to the NSWRA, particularly around areas in need of specialised help, to help shape how communities will look after recovery.

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Simon Draper has committed to a locally led recovery after the 2022 disasters. Picture: Dylan Coker

“Rather than a state agency suggesting what the social and economic future of the community is, that is really where we look for council leadership,” he said.

“Most particularly, they are concerned as buyback offers are made that they have some say about how that’s done, because buybacks obviously affect neighbourhoods and the shape of communities.”

The “third level” of the ”reset”, Mr Draper said, was working with community organisations like Resilient Lismore and Social Futures.