Actions by flood reconstruction group must speak louder than words

Above: Part of the independent flood inquiry was a forum in Lismore to talk about the impact of the floods. Photo: Susanna Freymark

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation set up by the State Government began operating on July 1.

Civil engineer David Witherdin is the chief executive of the corporation.

The corporation has an initial budget of $300 million for flood recovery.

This money includes the funding of the Infrastructure Coordination Office based in Lismore, the Flood Property Assessment Program, water and wastewater system reconstruction as well as riparian rehabilitation.

The corporation’s priorities will be driven by the recommendations from the independent flood inquiry.

These recommendations are expected in late July.

After this, the corporation will hold community forums where locals can have a say about the flood recovery focus.

A spokesperson for the corporation said the NSW Government understands the need for action to be taken swiftly to assist the recovery of affected communities and will respond to the recommendations as quickly as possible.

Four months on from the devastating floods, temporary housing has been slow to roll out and grants are proving difficult to access for many.

If the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation is going to make a difference to the lives of those impacted by floods, action needs to be sooner rather than later.