Northern Rivers Times, 14 April 2022:
A parliamentary committee is calling, for submissions into an inquiry into the response to major flooding across New South Wales recently.
In particular, the inquiry will consider the preparation, coordination and response to the flooding experienced on the North Coast and in Western Sydney.
Committee Chair and Shadow Minister for the North Coast, the Hon Walt Secord MLC, stated: ‘The floods we have seen on the North Coast and in Western Sydney over the last few weeks have been devastating on local communities. A parliamentary inquiry was established to examine concerns raised by local communities about the adequacy of support and resources available to them.’
The Chair continued: “The committee encourages all interested stakeholders, including affected communities, organisations and experts, to share their experiences and views on the response to flooding across the state as this will help us to consider lessons for the future.”
In particular, the committee is seeking views on the:
• preparation, coordination and response by government agencies to the floods
• role, composition and resourcing of key government agencies involved in the flood response
• coordination between various stakeholders including the state government, federal government, local governments, private sector organisations and the community
• public communication, systems and strategies
• implementation of recommendations from inquiries into previous natural disasters
• overall effectiveness of the flood response.
Submissions close 8 May 2022 and can be lodged online.
[my yellow highlighting]
The committee will also be reaching out directly to local communities to encourage participation given that many people may be disconnected from the internet or otherwise may not have the resources to make a submission.
The Chair said: “We are aware that people in the most affected regions may be without services and are understandably focusing on rebuilding. For this reason, we are making every effort to liaise with local, state and federal members as well as local community groups to ensure that as many people as possible can contribute to the inquiry if they wish and as they are able.”
The committee will also hold public hearings on the North Coast and in Western Sydney, providing an opportunity for local communities to contribute directly to the inquiry.
[my yellow highlighting]
For information on making a submission please see the committee’s website and the terms of reference for the inquiry.
While the personal stories of those directly affected by the floods will be valuable to the inquiry, it is important to note that the purpose of the inquiry is to make recommendations to the government.
If you have a question about how you can make a submission or contribute to the hearings, please contact the committee secretariat on 02 9230 3067 or email floods@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
Select Committee Membership
Chair: Walt Secord, (ALP, LC Member)
Deputy Chair: Mark Banasiak, (SFF, LC Member)
Members:
Scott Barrett, (NAT, LC Member)
Catherine Cusack, (LIB, LC Member)
Cate Faehrmann, Cate (GRNS, LC Member)
Rod Roberts, (PHON, LC Member)
Penny Sharpe, (ALP, LC Member)
