Rodney Stevens
The push for more funding for the flood ravaged Northern Rivers region has been taken up by Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, who questioned the Minns NSW Government on the massive reduction in buybacks offered and Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who launched a petition to fully fund the Resilient Homes Program as promised.
Mr Williamson’s address to the Legislative Assembly came a day before an important meeting between Premier Chris Minns and north coast parliamentary colleagues Geoff Provest, Janelle Saffin, Tamara Smith and the seven Mayors representing Northern Rivers communities.
Initially residents who registered with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation’s NRRC Resilient Homes Program were led to believe there would be 2000 house buybacks, 2000 house raisings and 2000 retrofits.
But currently only 1100 homes are being prioritised for buyback offers and 340 properties are eligible for home raising or retrofitting.
The CV Independent is aware of some Northern Rivers homeowners in the same street being offered buybacks, while their next-door neighbours were refused.
Following the release of figures by the NRRC revealing drastically less buybacks than anticipated, in parliament Mr Williamson asked NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully to explain how up to 4000 families have missed out funding.
“It’s disappointing the Minister spent most of his time pointing his finger at the previous government, but I do welcome his comments that the door is not closed on further options and support for residents,” he said.
“This is a confusing and distressing time for families trying to recover and rebuild stronger, following on from the catastrophic floods and we need to be fair dinkum about delivering promised support, not playing politics.
“The NSW Labor government now holds the purse strings and needs to step up and deliver funding on tranche two of the Resilient Homes Program.
“I will be doing everything I can to ensure the delivery of the promised funding at tomorrow’s meeting with the premier.”
Following the meeting on June 29, Mr Williamson said he welcomed the Premiers statement that more work needs to be done.
“I welcome the commitment made by Premier Minns for a reset on recovery and thank him for taking on board our concerns in a bipartisan way on behalf of the communities we represent,” he said.
“The Premier acknowledged there was more work to be done and the current situation was not good enough.
“He also gave an undertaking he would come back with a better plan in the coming weeks.”
Meanwhile, Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan launched an online petition at Woodburn last Friday to get the Federal Government to fully support all the necessary funding requirements.
The petition states the February/March 2022 floods on the Northern Rivers were Australia’s worst natural disaster.
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised ‘no one would be left behind’ and the Federal Government would stand behind communities and fully support all necessary funding requirements,” the petition says.
“The Resilient Home Program needs increased funding immediately.”
At the launch Mr Hogan said people are getting phone calls saying they have missed out on a house buyback, house raising or refit.
“The petition will give me the opportunity to demonstrate the level of public support as I take up the issue in Federal Parliament.”
On Saturday Woodburn locals lined the bridge armed with signs, a town which felt the full brunt of the catastrophic flood, that still feels unheard as they struggle to rebuild.
Richie Williamson, who attended the rally in support of locals, congratulated Beverley Rawson, Lyndall Murray and the entire Woodburn community who attended.
“Great to see lower Richmond Valley communities unite together today to send a strong message to State and Federal Governments that flood recovery is not complete,” he said.
“It’s important for all of our communities that the next round of funding is directly designed to support everyone in their recovery.”
To sign the petition visit www.dontforgetus.com.au