Those affected by the 2022 floods welcomed the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s commitment to the recommendations of the NSW Flood Inquiry but it is the existing approvals for development on floodplains that are causing serious concerns for many communities.
On Friday Cate Faehrmann (Greens), who was a member of the upper house 2022 Flood Inquiry, visited Kingscliff to see first hand approved, but as yet unbuilt developments that locals fear will cause more intense flooding of existing houses in the future.
‘Cate’s visit was fulfilling a commitment she made to KRPA following our submission to the parliamentary flood inquiry and our appearance before that inquiry in early June. Cate wanted to see first-hand the areas impacted by flooding and the swathes of (legacy approved) low-land in the district which contributed to the flood impact,’ Peter Newton, President of the Kingscliff Ratepayers and Progress Association Inc (KRPA) told The Echo.
‘Many members of our community were impacted by flood waters – many in places always considered “flood-safe”. Cate has now seen first-hand the lands in question and spoken to residents about the impact these had on the community. We remain rightly concerned about the further impact of ‘legacy approved’ developments on low-lying land will have on existing residences.’
The issue of land that was zoned for residential development up and down the east coast of NSW in the 1970’s, 80s and 90s has ensured that there are many areas that are zoned for residential development that are at risk in relation to flooding and fire. Yet many of these packets of land have current approvals for development.
‘These legacy development approvals will allow housing to be built on flood prone land. Not only will it be a disaster for the people who buy them, it will exacerbate flood impacts for existing residents,’ Ms Faehrmann told The Echo.
‘After seeing the proposed sites for myself I find it shocking that anyone would think it’s a good idea to fill and develop them. These wetlands, some of the last remaining in the area, act as sponges and ponds to help mitigate flood impacts on the surrounding community. Concreting them over will exacerbate the impact of future floods on all of Kingscliff and Tumbulgum.’
President of the Tumbulgum Community Association (TCA), Jenny Kidd, said, ‘we have had another very significant natural event and there should be a moratorium on development on floodplains, including on approved developments’.
Ms Kidd said the TCA had written to local state member Geoff Provest about a moratorium in July and he said that he would get back to them but they still hadn’t heard back.
‘The question isn’t what is the cost of buying back these lands from developers now but what will be the ongoing cost to government down the track if they allow these developments to go ahead? Because if they go ahead they will not only have the costs of the future floods on existing dwellings but on the thousands of dwellings that are currently planned for these low lying floodplains. The cost of a buyback now might alleviate significant future cost to government, communities and individuals.’
Ms Kidd and Mr Newton said their communities welcomed the Flood Inquiry recommendation to put the voice of the community first when it comes to floodplain and lowland considerations.
‘Community voice is absolutely critical given that contemporary approaches to flood plain development consideration advocate a ‘risk management’ based approach, which simply looks at the safe evacuation of people as a guiding principle for development,’ said Mr Newton.
‘After what this community has experienced, we cannot countenance simply putting more people in harms way and exacerbating a dire situation. The needs (voice) of the community must take precedent in any future considerations.’
‘After the catastrophic floods that Kingscliff, Tumbulgum and surrounding areas have experienced, the State Government must step in and ensure these developments never go ahead,’ said Ms Faehrmann.
‘The Premier has said that development on areas at high risk from floods has to stop. I’m calling on him to put his money where his mouth is and direct the Planning Minister to do whatever it takes to ensure these developments do not go ahead.’
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