23 May 2022
WALT SECORD MLC
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE NORTH COAST
CHAIR, SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE RESPONSE TO MAJOR FLOODING ACROSS NSW IN 2022
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON FLOOD RESPONSE
A NSW Upper House parliamentary committee is set to examine the Perrottet Government’s response to major flooding across the State, beginning with a multi-day tour of the North Coast from Sunday 29 May through Wednesday 1 June.
These visits will include regional hearings and public forums – and the public is urged to come and tell their story in person, if at all possible.
The Upper House Floods Committee is distinct from the government-initiated inquiry.
The Upper House Floods Committee will give all stakeholders, especially members of the public, the opportunity to communicate their questions and concerns about a number of issues including:
the government’s response to the flooding and its overall effectiveness;
how prepared and coordinated the government was in its response;
how well-resourced government agencies were during the response;
how the government and its agencies communicated with the public during and after the emergency;
how well-coordinated were the various stakeholders including the state and federal governments, local governments, private sector organisations, and the community; and
implementation of recommendations from inquiries into previous natural disasters.
Committee Chair and Shadow Minister for the North Coast Walt Secord said:
“Members of the community will be able to give in-person evidence directly to the committee.
“I urge members of the public to come to the nearest public forum – if they are unable to provide a formal submission as we recognise this is very difficult for many in the community.”
Mr Secord has urged individuals and organisations to continue making submissions if they wish to.
Written submissions do not need to be long, they can be as simple as writing your personal story or a few lines about what could be done to improve the government's response to the recent flooding. To make a written submission, email floods@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
The committee will also visit the following locations to conduct site visits, regional hearings and public forums:
- Ballina RSL – on the afternoon of Monday 30 May 2022
- Lismore Workers Sports Club – on the afternoon of Tuesday 31 May 2022
- Murwillumbah Services Club – on the afternoon of Wednesday 1 June 2022
- Windsor RSL Club (Western Sydney) – on the afternoon of Friday 3 June 2022.
To register to speak at one of these public forums, email floods@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
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