NSW flood victims protest about housing relief outside Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation office in Lismore

Flood victims still doing it tough have rallied in Lismore to vent their frustration and demand answers about housing relief almost a year on from the devastating 2022 floods. Here’s the latest.

Flood victims have rallied outside the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation in Lismore to vent their frustration and demand answers about housing relief almost a year on from the devastating 2022 floods.

Buyback and relocation advocates spoke at the event, putting pressure on the state government to give answers to a community still living in caravans, flood-ravaged homes or emergency accommodation.

Harper Dalton, a flood victim and advocate for house relocations, said the community had waited long enough for answers.

Harper Dalton, Trevor Acfield and Gwilym Sumers at the NRRC protest outside the organisation’s office on Daley St Lismore.

“I believe myself and the community have actually been pretty understanding that this is a really complex matter, but it‘s 12 months on and nothing has changed,” he said.

“Many of us have been living back in our flood-affected homes or caravans or other types of unreasonable situations for too long.

“That's the basic, basic human right to know what’s going to happen tomorrow, next week, next year.

“We all love Lismore. Lismore is the heart of the Northern Rivers and we need to retain that.

“We need to retain not only our homes, but also our community connection to this area and to each other.

A demonstrator outside the NRRC office.

“This is a really reasonable demand that we actually get transparency and we know what the hell's going on with the decisions about our future.

In total, 130 victims across the Northern Rivers will be the first to benefit from buybacks under the $700 million scheme to get people living in high-risk flood areas out of danger.

Across the Northern Rivers, 6500 people have registered for the joint federal and state government assistance, which includes buybacks land swaps and raising homes.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) is delivering the scheme in partnership with the governments.

A liaison from the organisation was expected to be present at the demonstration to accept a formal letter from organisers.

Miriam Torzillo at the protest.

However, the NRRC has instead closed its office during the protest, perhaps for the day.

NRRC boss David Witherdin was not present and expected to return to Lismore next week.

Miriam Tozillo, one of the organisers of the rally, read out the formal letter which they planned to hand to the NRRC.

“Today, we the community are bringing our frustrations directly to the NRRC to demand long awaited answers about transparency and socially just development interventions,” she said.

“We come collectively as a community. People's homes hang in the balance and the NRRC have not provided basic answers to people so they can move on with their lives.

“They have the information. They have the funding. Yet we are stuck waiting for answers on a case-by-case basis. So they don’t have to face the truths.

Flood victims demanded answers at the rally. Picture: Cath Piltz

“Although it will be difficult. We prefer the hard truth. Tell us which houses are eligible and how they are assessed.

“So we can begin to plan our futures the people of Lismore have individual and specific issues, but they also have shared concerns.”

Ms Tozillo said the Lismore community wanted to meet with David Witherdin, NRRC boss and discuss three demands: “How will the NRC change their practices for timely and transparent communication? What are the criteria for buybacks? How will any insurance for flood or stone affect what people will receive?”

Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation CEO of the David Witherdin outside Lismore office of Regional NSW.

“We want assurance that every effort is made to keep communities and neighbourhoods together and to make provision for renters and those on low incomes,” Ms Tozillo said.

The demonstrators said they opposed disaster capitalism and profiteering by private developers.

“We want the NRRC to intervene in the market to buy and develop land rather than go to private developers. Many of us don't want taxpayers money going to developers,” Ms Tozillo said.

Greens candidate for the upcoming state election and Lismore City councillor Adam Guise said people were sick of being left in the dark.

He spoke of confusing and inconsistent messages changing from week to week.

Councillor Adam Guise speaking at the protest. Picture: Cath Piltz

“The community wants truth and transparency from the Reconstruction Corporation about how it intends to involve the community in our recovery and who is being offered buybacks,” he said.

“People want to be genuinely consulted, rather than having top down solutions imposed upon them.

“Flood impacted residents should be surveyed for what they want for their futures.

“Acquiring affordable land to enable landswaps and house relocations must be the cornerstone of the government's response, so that we can keep our community together.”

NRRC acting CEO Kieron Hendicott welcomed further dialogue and said the NRRC remains “firmly committed” to building a more resilient and sustainable Northern Rivers region, to better cope with future natural disasters.

“We respect the community’s right to protest today and appreciate their concerns in the aftermath of this unprecedented natural disaster,” he said.

“There is no denying the emotional and physical toll this has taken on residents.”

The NRRC has reached out to event organisers to acknowledge their concerns and establish a dialogue, Mr Hendicott said.

“Since its establishment, the NRRC has forged strong community relationships to better understand their needs and priorities, ensuring they rebuild from this devastating weather event,” he said.

“We have held more than 40 community events and dozens of stakeholder meetings across the region in the past two months, with around 1,400 attendees, and received more than 6,500 registrations under the Resilient Homes Program.

“We continue to listen and welcome further community feedback.”

Originally published as NSW flood victims protest about housing relief outside Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation office in Lismore