Calls Grow for Action as CSIRO Flood Mitigation Report Nears Release
With the long-awaited CSIRO Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative report due for release, Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has renewed calls for governments to move beyond flood recovery and commit to long-term flood mitigation projects across the Northern Rivers.
The report, commissioned in the wake of the devastating 2022 floods, is expected to examine engineering options throughout the Northern Rivers catchment and identify infrastructure measures that could reduce the impact of future flooding.
Mr Hogan said the report represented an important opportunity for governments to shift their focus from rebuilding after disasters to investing in measures designed to reduce flood risks before they occur.
“Flood mitigation is the only strategy that will deliver long-term safety and certainty for our region. Recovery efforts alone will never solve the problem,” Mr Hogan said.
The Northern Rivers experienced one of Australia’s worst natural disasters in 2022, with widespread flooding causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, roads and public infrastructure. The event resulted in billions of dollars in losses and left many communities facing lengthy recovery efforts that continue today.
Mr Hogan said the region had waited more than three years for the findings of the CSIRO study and urged both the Australian and New South Wales governments to carefully consider its recommendations.
According to Mr Hogan, preliminary estimates suggest the flood mitigation measures examined in the report could require investment of around $2 billion. He argued that such an investment should be viewed against the estimated $15 billion economic impact of the 2022 floods.
“This report cannot sit on a shelf gathering dust,” he said.
“The state and federal governments must act on delivering recommendations that can reduce future flood levels and improve community safety.”
Mr Hogan also criticised elements of the existing flood recovery response, including the Resilient Lands Program and the voluntary home buyback scheme, arguing that they had not delivered the long-term certainty many flood-affected residents had hoped for.
He said more emphasis should now be placed on practical, evidence-based mitigation works capable of reducing flood impacts across the region rather than relying solely on post-disaster recovery programs.
The CSIRO report is expected to play a significant role in informing future flood management decisions for the Northern Rivers, with engineering options and cost assessments likely to influence discussions between all levels of government about future investment priorities.
Its release is anticipated by local councils, emergency services, businesses and residents alike, many of whom continue to advocate for solutions that improve community resilience while reducing the severity of future flood events.
The report’s recommendations are expected to generate significant discussion across the region as governments consider the next phase of flood management planning for one of Australia’s most flood-prone catchments.
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