2022 Floods

Northern Rivers to bear brunt of future disaster costs

Published

2 months ago

28 February 2024

Liam

Northern Rivers to bear brunt of future disaster costs

By Tim Howard

The Northern Rivers area will bear the brunt of the costs of dealing with worsening natural disasters in coming decades warns the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The authority predicted disaster recovery costs would nearly treble by 2060 in the first State Disaster Mitigation Plan, which was released on Friday.

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In 2023 the estimated average annual cost of disaster recovery was $3.1 billion and by 2060 this would jump to $9.1 billion.

And flooding in the Clarence Valley was the costliest item in league tables of disaster costings comparing estimates from last year to predictions for 2060.

In the total average annual loss in built environment 2023 the Clarence Valley disaster recovery bill came in at $133 million, of which flooding contributed $112 million.

Coastal areas of the Northern Rivers figured in the top four places on the table in 2023, with Tweed topping the locals with a bill of $146 million. The Clarence was next and Ballina’s bill came in at $109 million.

Lismore was near the bottom of the table with a disaster bill in 2023 of $57 million.

The NSW Central Coast topped the table with a disaster recovery bill estimated at 178 million.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority was established following the 2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry, led by Professor Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller.

The State Disaster Mitigation Plan was a requirement of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, which required the NSW Reconstruction Authority to prepare and implement a state disaster mitigation plan.

It was developed to provide guidance for mitigation of disasters across NSW.

The plan outlined how the rising costs of disasters can be addressed by refocusing government policy towards risk-reducing actions, and details how government agencies can work together to help communities prepare for worsening bushfires, heatwaves, floods, storms and coastal erosion.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will help coordinate delivery of the actions to improve community resilience and mitigate disasters.

Since 2019, NSW residents have endured more than 65 declared disasters, costing taxpayers more than $6 billion, with more than 20,000 homes damaged in 2022 alone.

The authority said climate change was expected to increase the severity and frequency of natural disasters.

The plan includes a toolkit of measures to reduce communities’ exposure and vulnerability to disasters through awareness and preparedness campaigns, evacuation infrastructure and warning systems.

Total Average annual loss in built environment 2060

The actions include:

Boosting the State’s “Get Ready” preparedness campaigns to ensure communities are better equipped.
Building a new local government toolkit to guide councils in preparing for disasters and the impacts of climate change.
Developing local Disaster Adaptation Plans that will help communities become more aware and prepared and will inform future planning processes and rebuilding and reconstruction efforts after a disaster occurs.
Developing early warning systems so communities are better prepared when disaster strikes.
Identifying mitigation infrastructure strategies and approaches to funding.
Working with industry to review building codes to factor in greater building resilience through materials and design.
Reviewing insurance levy arrangements and working with the insurance sector to factor in affordability in adaption planning.

Total average annual loss in built environment 2023

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said historically, the state’s ability to prevent and prepare for disasters hadn’t worked as there has been only 3% of funding spent on prevention and 97% spent after an event.

“This is our opportunity to build better so that we can better deal with disasters that come and equip communities with what they need.”

Minister Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the government was shifting the dial in how it addressed disasters as well as making sure it did not inadvertently put people in harm’s way through bad planning decisions.

“For the first time, NSW finally has a plan to begin turning that around with information on how we can invest in reducing risks before disasters occur to better protect communities,” he said.

“Successive years of unprecedented natural disasters have highlighted the need for NSW to meet the challenges of the future by working to reduce both the actual and social costs of natural hazards to our communities.”

He said it had not been easy.

“There is no easy or simple solution to these challenges,” he said. “The focus of the State Disaster Mitigation Plan is to provide a framework and clear actions for reducing risk where we can, and adapting where we can’t, through improved warning systems and a focus on resilient infrastructure.

“The increasing risk of natural disasters also increases pressure on our emergency services staff and volunteers, who put themselves on the line keeping communities safe. This plan will help to manage that risk by reducing the impact of disasters before they occur.”

Deputy CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Simone Walker was proud of the document.

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the first entity of its kind in NSW with the dual responsibility of proactively reducing the impact of future disasters before they happen, as well as responding after,” she said.

“This milestone plan gives NSW communities the first ever roadmap to reduce the risk of future disasters.

“This is critical because every dollar we invest in reducing risks will help people recover faster and reduce the cost of future disasters.”

Clarence Valley mayor Peter Johnstone was not ready to comment on the plan. He said he would discuss it with council staff and release a response during the week.

For more local Clarence Valley news, click here.

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2022 Floods

Lismore’s Damaged Structures Demolished for New Facilities

Published

8 hours ago

9 May 2024

Liam

Lismore’s Damaged Structures Demolished for New Facilities

In a significant development for Lismore’s recovery, demolition work has started on eight buildings that were critically damaged during the 2022 flood disaster.

This marks a pivotal step in the city’s efforts to rebuild and revitalise affected areas.

Brett Lee, the Council’s program manager, highlighted the necessity of these demolitions for public safety and the future reactivation of the sites. “These buildings have long served the community, but the extensive damage from the February 2022 natural disaster means it’s time to clear the way for new developments,” he stated.

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Demolition activities kicked off last week with the takedown of the old Essential Energy building located at the corner of Ballina Road and Conway Street. The next structures slated for removal include the old Scout Hall on Wilson Street and the Humbley Oval Hockey Club Kiosk.

Plans are also set for the demolition of the toilet block and pumphouse at Lismore Lake, to be replaced by a new modular toilet to serve the lake park patrons.

Furthermore, the weatherboard building at Sam Trimble Oval is due to be replaced with a new facility that includes an accessible toilet with timed locks, a large shade shelter, lockable storage, and utility access. The existing brick amenities block at this location will also undergo upgrades.

At Neilson Park in East Lismore, the canteen or old cricket shed will be razed to make room for a new modular toilet/changeroom. Similarly, the amenities block at Wade Park and McKenzie Park in North Lismore are scheduled for demolition to pave the way for the installation of modern modular toilets.

These developments are part of a broader initiative to not only enhance the infrastructure but also to ensure Lismore’s resilience and readiness for future challenges. The community looks forward to the completion of these projects, which promise improved amenities and a revitalized urban environment.

For more local Lismore news, click here.

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2022 Floods

Jewellery Design Centre Launches “Tell Our Stories” to Celebrate Lismore’s History

Published

2 weeks ago

24 April 2024

Liam

Jewellery Design Centre Launches “Tell Our Stories” to Celebrate Lismore’s History

Advertorial by Daniel Pinkerton

The Lismore Jewel Centre, a beloved fixture in the community, has reopened its doors in the Starcourt Arcade under a new name: Jewellery Design Centre. To celebrate they are launching a heartwarming initiative to commemorate the history and cherished memories of Lismore and the old store.

“Since reopening, we’ve had so many come and tell us how happy they are we’re back and share their fond memories of the old Jewel Centre” says owners Gary and Mariska Pinkerton.

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“We love it, and so we want to invite more people to share their stories with us!”

The old Lismore Jewel Centre now known as Jewellery Design Centre now launches Launches "Tell Our Stories"

The old Lismore Jewel Centre. It will be missed dearly.

The ‘Tell Our Stories’ campaign invites locals to share their personal stories of connection, community and the special jewellery that has played an important role in their lives.

“The stories have played a special role in our lives too,” says Mariska.

“While we were closed after the flood, we did house calls and had customers come visit us at home which put a whole new light on the jewellery experience. All of a sudden the glitz was gone and our appointments were stripped back to just us and our customers. In this setting people naturally began to share their heart felt experiences with us, and we got to know them in a whole new way.”

It was this experience, they explain, that inspired the new Jewellery Design Centre in Lismore’s Starcourt Arcade.

“It’s smaller and not as ritzy as the old Jewel Centre was,” says Gary of the new store, “But for us it captures that feeling we felt when we would sit around dining tables with our customers.”

Jewellery Design Centre Launches "Tell Our Stories"

Just like home- a picture of the new interior’s cosy setting.

Gary and Mariska are now inviting community members to visit the store and share their own memories and experiences, with the chance to win exciting prizes.

Each person who shares their story online or in-store will be entered into a draw to win a $500 voucher, while those who have a piece repaired, remade, or custom-designed during the campaign period will have the opportunity to win a pair of $1,500 diamond earrings.

“We especially want to hear stories about the rich history of Lismore, memories of the old Jewel Centre or touching moments where jewellery has played a special part in your life.”

“More than the prizes, this is about celebrating the stories of the Northern Rivers and the memories that bind us together,” says Mariska.

Entries are open until May 24. For more information about the “Tell Our Stories” giveaway and how to participate, visit the Jewellery Design Centre in the Starcourt Arcade or follow the QR codes below to their social media channels.

For more business news, click here.

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2022 Floods

Diary of a Flood Survivor

Published

3 weeks ago

17 April 2024

Liam

Diary of a Flood Survivor

I feel like we must have been one of the first cars to get petrol at the newly-reopened service station at Woodburn.

They did not have their ATM lines up so were only taking cash.

As I walked into the shop, I could smell the newness of the plastic and products as I went to pay for the tank’s worth.

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AND the price was the lowest I have seen in a long while.

No doubt, once the ATM lines are up and if they keep the same price, it will be a popular spot.

It makes the town feel like it is back on the road to healing.

Now we just need to see our IGA open and we will be all grown up again.

I recently went to the funeral of the wife of a friend.

It was a very poignant moment to see him reach out and gently touch the coffin next to where he sat in the church during the requiem mass.

Her children read out her own words that she had written about her life and it was interesting to note she was born in the middle of a flood in 1928.

From there, she remembered as a young wife and mother the devastation of 1954’s flood.

When we first arrived on the Northern Rivers, the 1954 flood was spoken about in hushed tones or a type of reverence at the enormity of it.

Without taking away from the devastation that happened during that flood, as many more people lost their lives, I don’t think I have the same awe for it as I once did, now having experienced the aftermath of the 2022 flood.

Little steps.

For more 2022 floods news, click here.

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