Flood-impacted residents from the Northern Rivers are being called to join forces in Lismore at 10am on Monday, 23 January to demand transparency and socially just development interventions from the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC). The rally is taking place at the NRRC offices at 120 Dalley St, Military Rd Entrance, Lismore.
From the beginning, residents have been frustrated by the lack of information supplied by the NRRC on buybacks, land swaps, house raising etc as they wait to find out their options and rebuild their lives. Almost a year on and people are now demanding answers so that they can get on with their lives.
The rally will be an opportunity for the Lismore and Northern Rivers community to unite in their concern about the inadequacy of NRRC attempts to address the needs of flood-affected residents rally spokesperson Miriam Torzillo explained.
‘The people of Lismore have been clear about what they want: to be rehoused safely and affordably, with respect to cultural, environmental and social heritage; the relocation of houses within sustainable, inclusive and accessible precincts; to stay connected to their neighbourhoods; and transparent and timely communication regarding the Resilient Homes Program,’ Ms Torzillo said.
‘No’ to profiteering
‘The group will specifically demand, “that the NRRC processes and criteria for decision making are made transparent and that the NRRC make necessary interventions into the market, such as compulsory land acquisition and management of developments, to ensure an affordable transition that is socially, environmentally and culturally just”,’ said Ms Torzillo.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin wrote to the NRRC expressing similar concerns. Rally organisers welcome this initiative, which strengthens their case and demonstrates that their demands are strongly rooted in community thinking. However, community members demand more expansive action from the corporation. They say climate change should be a key factor in all decisions and a strong stance is needed to prevent investors and developers profiteering from the flood disaster.
Speakers
Monday’s rally will hear from speakers including Harper Dalton from Relocate Lismore Homes, Julia Melvin from MoveMe, Trevor Acfield from Reclaiming our Recovery, Adam Guise and Sophie Thomas.
Ms Torzillo encouraged all interested and concerned Lismore and Northern Rivers residents to attend the rally.
‘It will be an opportunity to physically and tangibly take our issues and concerns to the agency that is making decisions about our future,’ she said.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
