NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is in Lismore this morning and he has just announced a recovery corporation for the Northern Rivers.
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) will coordinate planning, rebuilding and construction work of essential services, infrastructure and housing across multiple government agencies to help people in the Northern Rivers communities to rebuild their homes and lives as quickly as possible.
The NRRC will work within and with the local government areas of Ballina, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Tweed, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Lismore.
As is his habit, Mr Perrottet began by acknowledging the people on the ground. ‘It’s been a challenging two months up here in the Northern Rivers.
A very difficult time
‘There has been a lot of pain and suffering for many people. We’ve had people lose their lives. Many people have had their homes destroyed and businesses lost. It has been a very difficult time, but it’s very pleasing for me as Premier to once again be in the Northern Rivers, with the strength and the resilience of our people up here and to see the progress on the ground. I know we provide a lot of comfort for many people. But there’s a long journey to go.
‘As I’ve said in the past, when these natural disasters hit it’s so often the case as the immediate attention dissipates, a government’s attention can fall away as well. Well, I said from the outset that would not occur here in New South Wales, that not one person will be left behind in the Northern Rivers.
‘That’s why today we are announcing the establishment of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.’
Long-term remit for reconstruction of flood-hit communities
The NRRC will have a long-term remit for the reconstruction of flood-hit communities in the Northern Rivers, which will continue beyond the immediate response and recovery phase, which is being led by Resilience NSW.
The NRRC will sit within the Department of Regional NSW and report to the Deputy Premier. David Witherdin will lead the development corporation as CEO. Mr Witherdin currently leads Public Works Advisory and the Soil Conservation Service, and was previously the CEO of Local Land Services.
A more resilient community
Mr Perrottet said that we need to build back in a stronger way and a more resilient way to give faith and confidence to communities. ‘At the end of it, the Northern Rivers will be in a much stronger place than before the floods occurred. And that’s what’s most important. There’s no point rebuilding the same way. We need to rebuild in a way that builds resilience going forward. That’s exactly what this corporation will do.’
The NRRC will be supported by an advisory board consisting of local representatives, such as local members of parliament and mayors, as well as leaders in the community, ensuring local expertise and knowledge is at the core of the NRRC work.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new corporation would lead a single, coordinated whole-of-government approach to the permanent recovery and rebuilding of communities across the Northern Rivers.
Key component will be input from local community
‘A key component of this corporation will be input from the local community – if I’ve learned anything, over the last two months in the Northern Rivers, it has been the importance of local communities in providing input into government.
‘The best decisions in these situations are not made from Macquarie Street. They’re made from an understanding and appreciation of the issues that are on the ground.
‘The NRRC will be able to draw on the recommendations from the Inquiry and lead the long-term reconstruction work to build certainty for future generations.
A united, effective and coordinated response
‘The rebuilding of Lismore and surrounding areas will require a united, effective and coordinated response to enable everyone in the community to plan for the future and get on with their lives, and that will be the driving responsibility of this new authority.’
The NRRC will have the power to work with councils to identify, prioritise and support projects that can rejuvenate communities within the Northern Rivers area, with a particular emphasis on housing and supporting social infrastructure.
Power to compulsorily acquire or subdivide land
The new body will also have the power to compulsorily acquire or subdivide land, speed up and fast-track the building of new premises and accelerate the delivery of planning proposals through the Department of Planning and Environment. The insurance, construction and infrastructure sectors will be important contributors, alongside local government, industry, businesses and residents.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the NRRC would have broad and extensive powers to consult with the community and assist in making towns more resilient to future flooding events.
‘The floods have had a devastating impact and the NSW Government will continue to provide assistance to enable the people of the Northern Rivers to get back on their feet,’ said Mr Toole.
The transition from recovery and clean-up
‘As we transition from recovery and clean-up the focus will shift to how we can make the infrastructure and homes of the region more resilient in the event of future natural disasters.’
Resilience NSW will continue to be responsible for providing immediate relief resupplying impacted communities, restoring essential services, cleaning up properties and providing temporary accommodation in the short to medium term. The NRRC’s work will extend beyond these timeframes with a three to five-year remit.
The establishment of the NRRC will allow the NSW Government and local governments to respond and implement any relevant outcomes of the independent review and be a source of collaboration, coordination and long term strategic vision for the Northern Rivers.
Details of how the Corporation will work will be announced shortly.
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