Lismore
City Council, 9
April 2019:
As
a result of the significant flood event of April 2017 that impacted Lismore in
the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie, Lismore City Council was successful in
securing funding for the repair and remediation of a major landslip located at
Beardow Street, Lismore Heights.
The
initial works at an estimated and approved cost of $1.12 million were funded by
the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Contaminated
soil was discovered during the restoration process and the cost of remediation
is significantly greater than the currently available funding.
When
contamination was discovered, eligibility for compensation through the NDRRA
changed outside of Council’s control. Council was initially advised that the
remediation was eligible for NDRRA funding. This advice was rescinded in late
2018. Negotiations with State agencies continue on this matter and work has
stopped while funding issues are resolved.
The
area is still contaminated and material needs to be removed. A schedule of
works has been developed for full remediation of the site.
The
residents in the vicinity of the landslip rightly seek a resolution to the
issues associated with access to property, remediation, repairs to the landslip
and the lack of clarity around timeframe for completion.
Residents
have worked with Council to manage the issues and need closure. They are
acutely aware of the process Council needs to follow and have justifiably
reached a point where a solution is both required and demanded.
Council’s
estimated cost to complete the remediation works is an additional $2.4 million.
Council’s December 2018 quarterly budget review provides $700,000 to address
the remediation at Beardow Street. Council has been advised of an
alternate estimate to complete the works in the order of $5.7 million
undertaken by an affected landowner. To date Council has been unable to source
the estimated funding shortfall of $1.7 million from Government.
Council
is continuing to negotiate a funding outcome. Council held an emergency meeting
with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) on Thursday, 14 March 2019 to find a
solution. RMS management attended the site on Tuesday, 19 March 2019 to
discuss options. A steering committee has been formed with Council and RMS
staff. RMS has made available their geotechnical and environmental specialists,
however no alternate solution has been recommended. RMS has made application to
the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for a review of NDRRA eligibility. OEM
have escalated the matter to the Federal Government for review of eligibility,
however there is no guarantee of success and no time frame for a response. On
29 March 2019 RMS requested Council make application for a Specific
Purpose Grant. The outcome of this application is unknown.
The
nearest licenced disposal site for the asbestos contamination is in Queensland.
The Queensland waste levy comes into effect on 1 July 2019. The levy will add
$2 million to the cost of the project in contaminated soil disposal costs.
Council
has engaged litigation specialists to provide advice on NDRRA eligibility and
options to secure funding. The current advice is to commence with formal
correspondence to RMS and/or OEM. This action is underway.
The
solution proposed is for Council to obtain the required $1.7 million shortfall
from government. We require support from Council for the actions taken to date
as well as support for any legal proceedings instigated to recover the
restoration costs associated with this natural disaster event.
On
26 April 2019 during the recent federal election campaign The Northern Star
reported that all the candidates, including sitting Nats MP Kevin Hogan, had been asked to commit $10 million to fully
remediate this site.
On
27 May 2019 a Lismore journalist stated that Hogan has committed $2.4 million
to remediate the asbestos and chemical contaminated landslip. Although it was
not explained how he could do this when the new Lib-Nats Coalition Government is
weeks away from being sworn in by the Governor-General or why he was committing
to less than a quarter of the money requested.
Council is still considering instigating legal proceedings to progress the
eligibility of its initial claim for state funding.
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