Northern NSW flood recovery: Residents protest outside of Richmond MP Justine Elliot and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s offices

Protesters have gathered outside the offices of northern NSW politicians to voice their anger over flood recovery efforts almost two years after the record 2022 disasters. Here’s the latest.

The 2022 floods devastated much of northern NSW including Lismore (pictured). Photo: Brendan Beirne.

Protests have been held outside the electoral offices of Labor politicians as flood-affected residents demanded a fully-funded recovery almost two years after the natural disasters.

The state and federal governments have committed more than $4.6 billion towards flood recovery efforts in the Northern Rivers following the February/March 2022 floods – but much of that money has not yet been paid out.

Residents voiced their anger at the slow recovery by protesting outside the electoral offices of Richmond MP Justine Elliot and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin on Tuesday.

It comes as some have received a buyback or other housing help, but others remain in the lurch.

Ms Saffin is a flood victim herself, left with a battered home, but her government continues to cop it over the pace of the recovery.

Labor was critical of the opposition’s approach when it held power, but is not faring any better, judging by the vocal public response.

Protesters outside Janelle Saffin’s Lismore office.

The residents presented a letter signed by 38 organisations, including Resilient Lismore and the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond.

“It is unacceptable that thousands of people across our region are still living in homes that are not safe from future floods, or have been unable to return to their homes at all,” the letter reads.

“Applicants to the Resilient Homes Program deserve the financial support they were promised, and they deserve clarity that they will receive that support in an appropriate time frame.”

The letter outlines three demands: funding to cover a $700m Resilient Homes Program shortfall before the end of the year, clear timelines for home retrofits and buybacks and improved consultation from the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

Tuesday’s protest in Lismore.

Byron Flood Emergency Action Group spokesman Dale Emerson said the recovery needed more attention.

“The situation is rapidly deteriorating and there is a growing sense that the promised support for the recovery efforts may never materialise,” he said.

“This perceived abandonment is deeply distressing, considering the assurances made to us in the aftermath of the floods.”

A Lismore home two months after the unprecedented floods. Picture: Patrick Hamilton.

He also said the primary focus of the recent protests was to underscore the need for the full implementation of the Resilient Homes Program.

“This initiative is not just about financial support, it is about fostering a collective responsibility among elected officials to empathise with and actively assist traumatised survivors on their path to recovery,” he said.

Ballina Greens MP Tamara Smith backed the demands outlined in the letter.

The letter’s demands were also backed by the Greens MP for Ballina, Tamara Smith, and Mandy Nolan, a Greens candidate for Richmond.

“I’m so proud to see flood survivors raising their voices and letting governments know that our community hasn’t forgotten about their promises,” Ms Smith said.

“We were promised 6000 buybacks, retrofits and house-raises from the Resilient Homes Program, but thousands of people are missing out thanks to a $700m funding shortfall.

“All people want is to feel safe in their homes over the Christmas holidays. This should not be an unreasonable ask”.

Originally published as Northern NSW flood recovery: Residents protest outside of Richmond MP Justine Elliot and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s offices