NSW Independent Flood Inquiry Report Released

With the Bureau of Meteorology declaring a La Nina Alert warning of a potential third consecutive year of extreme rainfall and flooding, people’s anxieties are running high.

The NSW Independent Flood Inquiry report, released last week, held 28 recommendations for change when it came to preparing for, managing and recovering from flood events.

Councillor at Hawkesbury City Council, Amanda Kotlash said she knew it was a really hot issue right now and there was a lot of anxiety and fear out in the community.

“From my perspective, all 28 recommendations are good,” Ms Kotlash said.

“I’m happy that the Premier is going to act on them, but we’re almost in an emergency situation again right now.

“People’s lives come first.

“That’s paramount.

“We know the people who are at highest risk.” Ms Kotlash spoke to recommendation 23 which dealt with housing and development, specifically calling out the Hawkesbury and Nepean region.

“Whilst that’s really to relocate - when’s that going to happen?” she asked.

“How we do that is not covered.”

Ms Kotlash said that training the SES is great, but that training wasn’t going to come in time for next month.

“We need them for next month,” she said.

The best thing to come out of this report is the community has started to tweak to the fact that they play a part as well.

“It’s raised community awareness.

“That’s just gold.” Ms Kotlash said she had read about a young 15-year-old Lismore boy who, when he heard that people were trapped in the floods, rallied his 17-year-old brother, grabbed out the tinny and rescued 44 people.

“He said the hardest part was getting the old people into the boat,” Ms Kotlash said.

“I got a bit teary when I read it.

“The recommendations to train the community first responders might be able to happen.”

Ms Kotlash pointed out that, while Council was responsible for very little of what needed to take place, they did play a huge community supporting role.

“The community needs to know that we (Council) have their back, and we do,” she said.

“I can say with certainty, that everybody at Council is doing absolutely everything that they can.

“I want the community to be almost comforted by the fact that we are doing everything we can.

“In an emergency, people need to be reassured.

“It must be shocking to feel hopeless.”

People can log onto the Council website and link to the emergency contact they need.

Ms Kotlash has 30 years of experience working as an environmental scientist.

• Topics:

• Floods