Jamie Simmonds, the man who directed the relocation of the town of Grantham in Qld, shared his story with Lismore residents last week.
Local NSW MP, Janelle Saffin (Labor), hosted his visit and said, ‘In 2011, Jamie was employed by Lockyer Valley Regional Council to run the Strengthening Grantham Project, following devastating flash flooding, which took the lives of 19 people’.
‘This groundbreaking project created, planned and constructed a new residential estate and provided land through Australia’s first land-swap process. Within 12 months of that flood event, 120 families were moving into their flood-free homes’.
Simmonds said, ‘As more severe weather events become more frequent, this experience is becoming increasingly useful to communities and decision-makers as they create a more resilient future.’
For more info, visit www.jamiesimmonds.com.
Grantham is barely rated as a Village.
A huge difference in size compared to Lismore.
But only slightly smaller & more spread out than South Murwillumbah, Coraki, Woodburn, Wardell & Eugowra.
The point is, it’s necessary, it’s possible & been done before.
Even just 120 families out of the Lismore flood zone would be a big improvement, but at best could only be described as a good start.
120 out of each would be fantastic.
I feel more research should be done here over the real results of re-location of people.
I have read reports that in Grantham the cohesive community structure suffered and businesses and shops consequently failed too.
Also, I remember reports of social problems caused by 20th century ‘clearances’ in London.
They ended up living alone in tower-block flats and pined for their (far-from-perfect) friendly neighborhoods.