Flood inquiry reforms critical as spring set for drenching

Farmers are calling for the state government to fast-track adoption of flood inquiry recommendations as communities are forecast to face another round of drenching rain this spring.

The Independent Flood Inquiry report into the handling of the state’s major floods identified a number of issues, and NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said it was critical to get moving on reforms quickly.

“Right now, there are farmers, families and businesses still getting on top of the repairs and rebuilding from flooding earlier in the year, and they’ll be understandably apprehensive at reports La Nina is coming back,” Mr Martin said.

“What we need to see is swift, decisive action from the government on some of these key recommendations, with better coordination of rescue and recovery, and a streamlined process for training, response and communication.

“At-risk farmers and communities cannot allow the hard-learned lessons from these floods to be forgotten, we must ensure any new agencies deliver what people actually need.”

NSW Farmers is encouraging government to work closely with the agricultural sector to deliver on the recommendations in the report, including the establishment of a full-time State Emergency Management Operations Coordinator, the recommendation to develop a single app with disaster updates, including the status of regional and rural roads, and improvements to weather reporting.

But it was not just the state government that needed to improve its approach to natural disasters, as Mr Martin pointed out, local government also had a significant role in flood management and mitigation as the local approving authority.

“There is a real need for improved planning, assessment, and approvals around public and private works on floodplains because farmers need certainty through transparency and consistent application of the rules,” Mr Martin said.

“Timely access to information about roads or flood levels is vital for the safety of people, their homes, livestock and machinery, and will help mitigate similar tragedies in the future.

“We are encouraged to see commitment by the NSW government to act on the recommendations, and we are keen to see local government play its part as well.”