The Independent NSW Flood Inquiry has released a raft of recommendations including the creation of a new statewide reconstruction body to work with councils and state government agencies.

The inquiry, headed by Michael Fuller and Professor Mary O’Kane, examined the catastrophic 2022 floods and state’s preparation, planning and response to them.

The final report says the proposed NSW Reconstruction Authority would be a new permanent agency focused on building a ‘more disaster-robust state’.

Among other functions, it would play a role in administering disaster relief grants and be the lead agency for managing and co-ordinating housing and infrastructure renewal for disaster affected communities.

“In line with the Government’s vision to build a more disaster-robust state, (The NSWRA will be) the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster prevention,” the report recommends.

“In this role, NSWRA would work collaboratively with key stakeholders (at risk communities, local government and the private, research and philanthropic sectors) to improve risk reduction and disaster adaptation particularly in high-risk areas.

“In particular, it should work with disaster prone communities, local government and agencies across state government to develop a State Disaster Mitigation Plan and scope, source funding for and lead special disaster-prevention and mitigation projects.”

The report also calls for Resilience NSW to be ‘reshaped’ as a new body called Recovery NSW with a focussed on driving recovery in the first 100 days after a disaster.

In principle support

The government says it will introduce legislation for a permanent state-wide reconstruction agency by the end of this year.

But it says in its official response that more consideration needs to be given to the remit of the new body, as well as how to potentially transition the Northern Rivers Recovery Corporation into a statewide agency.

The government has also supported in principle the recommendation to overhaul Resilience NSW, but says the future organisational structure needs to be worked out.

“Resilience NSW will continue to deliver to communities impacted by disasters until such time as new arrangements are in place and will be engaged in any future transition arrangements,” it says.

‘Blueprint for change’

 Premier Dominic Perrottet said the recommendations provided a blueprint for change that would leave  communities and government better able to prepare for floods in the future, and help them recover faster.

“We now have a pathway to better prepare for, respond to and recover from future floods across NSW, that also builds on the ongoing flood recovery efforts that are taking place,” Mr Perrottet said in a statement.

Key recommendations include:

• Establishment of a NSW Reconstruction Authority with legislation to be introduced by the end of the year
• Reforming Resilience NSW to Recovery NSW to ensure a more streamlined agency
•  Migration off high-risk floodplains via planning controls, landswaps, buy-backs and leveraging private investment in new developments
• Creation of a dedicated emergency management task force within government consisting of cabinet minister , secretaries and commissioners
• Creation of a full time Deputy Commissioner of Police focused on emergency management
• More training and support for the SES
•  Development of adaptation plans for Northern Rivers towns over the next 3-5 years.

LGNSW hopeful

Meanwhile, The peak NSW local government body has welcomed the report of a parliamentary select committee into the state’s floods, which recommends boosting investment in food mitigation and preparation.

LGNSW President Darriea Turley said it was essential that funding flowed throught council so that they are positioned to manage extreme weather events.

“It is heartening that many of the inquiry’s … recognise councils have a central role in emergency management – both now and into the future – and should be supported by other government agencies accordingly,” she said.