Questions have been raised about the independence of the appeals process for those properties and houses that do not receive assistance from the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation’s (NRRC) Resilient Homes Program (RHP).
NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO, Simon Draper told the media briefing on the NRRC’s Resilient Homes Program on Tuesday (28 June, 2023) that he didn’t ‘have that information to hand’ regarding the makeup and independence of the NRRC Appeals Panel.
Responding to The Echo’s question following the briefing an NRRC spokesperson said that the Appeals Panel will be made up of independent experts.
‘If a homeowner is unsatisfied with the NRRC’s assessment or decisions under the Resilient Homes Program, an appeals process is available.
‘The NRRC has established an independent Appeals Panel to consider all appeals under the Resilient Homes Program.’
The NRRC spokesperson did not directly answer the questions regarding who ‘is on the panel, and what are they paid’ instead opting to assure concerned community members that they had a range of relevant expertise.
‘The independent Appeals Panel membership is a mixture of senior executives from the NSW Government who are not connected to NRRC or the Resilient Homes Program. They have been identified for their specialised skills in emergency management, flood risk mitigation and hydraulics, law and social welfare. In addition, two independent Panel members have specialisations in property law, construction and dispute resolution,’ said the spokesperson.
‘The Resilient Homes Program independent Appeals Panel is managed by a Secretariat and operates independently from the NRRC.
‘Members of the independent Appeals Panel employed by the NSW Government will not receive payment as part of their engagement with the Resilient Homes Program Appeals Panel while other members will be compensated as part of their role on the Appeals Panel,’ they explained.
‘Before lodging an appeal, homeowners are encouraged to submit their comments relating to a Resilient Homes Program decision to the NRRC.’
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