DESPITE a record funding announcement, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says you can't hide from the reality flood-affected residents are facing across the Northern Rivers.
Mr Perrottett announced a new Incident Control Centre will be built in Lismore as part of the NSW SES receiving a record $132 million from the state government.
He was joined by NSW treasurer Matt Kean, Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke and SES Commissioner Carlene York for the announcement at Goonellabah today.
"It's bloody tough on the Northern Rivers and many people are going through a difficult time," Mr Perrottet said.
"There are still people who are homeless, we can come up and talk about funding and all these great things but s but you can't ignore how hard it's been for the people here.
"You can't sugar-coat it and say it's going to be an easy task because it's not.
"My commitment to the Northern Rivers has not waivered, I want to make sure every single person gets back on their feet and we set the region up for future success.
"I take full responsibility for what happens in the future and hopefully we can look back in time at this moment today and say as bad as the flood was for the Northern Rivers, something great has come from it."
The NSW Flood Inquiry is was currently being completed by Professor Mary O'Kane and former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller while The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation is due to start on July 1.
"I've said whatever comes from the flood inquiry we'll take on board," Mr Perrottet said.
"I'm not interfering at all; I've given them a direction in a relation into my view of what I've found during my time in the Northern Rivers.
"I want them to give a pure report back and be as frank as possible about the next steps moving forward.
"They'll be a strong local input into the reconstruction commission; it's up and running in an informal way already.
"I thought it was best to have it going early, which we've done, and once it officially starts there will be significant local engagement and representation on there."
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The new SES funding includes more than $50 million to upgrade 18 critical priority Unit facilities across NSW.
There has not been a site established for the new building in Lismore.
"This is the biggest investment we've seen in terms of the SES," Mr Perrottet said.
"The NSW Government is committed to investing in communities to strengthen frontline services right across the State."
SES Commissioner Carlene York welcomed the news and said it would assist the agency strengthen its responsiveness into the future.
"This investment in the SES enhances our support of our greatest asset, our volunteers, and enables us to provide the vital assistance NSW communities need to protect life and property around the State," Commissioner York said.
"There will be more flooding into the future and what we really want to do is prepare the community. "We want to make it as safe as possible so what happened in February and March doesn't happen again.
The $132.7 million Budget boost includes:
- $58.7 million to upgrade 18 critical priority Unit facilities across the State;
- $43 million to split the existing Northern Zone into two new zones, and split the existing Western Zone into two new zones;
- $11.7 million to establish Zone Headquarters in the two new zones with Level 3 Incident Control Centre capabilities;
- $18 million to upgrade existing Zone Headquarters to Level 3 Incident Control Centres; and
- $1.3 million to develop a Facility Strategy and complete further detailed business cases to address the remainder of the recommendations from the 2021 independent review.
Mitchell Craig
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
Australian Community Media journalist with over 15 years' experience in providing quality news and sport stories. For story ideas and news tips contact me on mitchell.craig@lismorecitynews.com.au
