Interview with David Witherdin | Executive Director of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation
After five months of waiting with baited breath, in July of 2022 the NSW Government finally announced the establishment of a reconstruction authority in the Northern Rivers. It was granted sweeping powers to speed up the region’s recovery in the wake of the most catastrophic flood event in Australia’s modern history-- a disaster that had left much of the Northern Rivers on its knees.
In late October of 2022, a financial commitment from both state and Commonwealth led to the confirmation of an 800 million dollar recovery package for the Northern Rivers—this package appeared to be primarily aimed at assisting those most vulnerably poised on the flood plain and promised buy-backs, retro-fits, and house raises for those who were eligible.
When the plan was unveiled the internet went wild, it was announced without eligibility qualifications and it was unclear how many people the program planned to help. All the fine print was missing. Where would these people go if their properties were purchased from them? When would they know if they were eligible? How long would they have to wait? How many people would the NRRC actually help? Would everyone be removed from harm’s way...or just some?
People had more questions than answers and while the package seemed promising to some, the overall sentiment was one of wariness. The trauma of the flood had been compounded over the last many months by an inefficient and lacklustre response from the government, endless grant applications that proved arduous, complicated and clunky, and councils that landed in stalemates around emergency accommodation and flood mitigation.
The Northern Rivers has been laid bare by these floods and for many, 10 months on, the wounds are now just festering.
Last week I sat down with David Witherdin, the executive director of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation to discuss their new Resilient homes program and try to understand the details of what is to come, how many people will be helped, and the greater vision that the NRRC is operating within.
David made it clear that this is [only] the first trench of funding and that should the numbers necessitate, the NRRC would absolutely be seeking more funding from both state and commonwealth for the second round of buy-backs / retro-fits / house raises.
Thus far, detailed information around eligibility, timelines, and numbers remains challenging to obtain.
While I recognize the NRRC’s task is immensely complex and must be undertaken with thoroughness and equanimity –I find their timelines...and numbers, concerning.
Recently David noted in a town hall that this funding package would assist approximately 450 homes in Lismore with a buyback (out of the 2,000 total across 7 LGA’s that they estimate being able to cover with this first trench of funding). This when most numbers point to homes damaged in the thousands, and a council that has advised all of North and South Lismore retreat in order to be safe.
I also find it disconcerting that everywhere I look, in every article, report and review I see a different number reflecting how many homes were damaged / destroyed by this event. If we do not have an accurate number of homes impacted, how can the NRRC (or council, or SES, or state, or federal government) guarantee a requisite response?
It is without a doubt that there are far more people displaced than are being accounted for, including those who are now camping, staying with friends or family in cramped apartments, those who have left the region entirely, and those as well –who are living in gutted homes. That is in fact, according to the UN’s definition – a displaced person, as they are not living, in a habitable property. However, with little to no available housing stock and the intense financial pressures of this disaster, 1000’s of flood affected people and families had no option other than to move back into their flooded and flood prone house, on the flood plain.
I am under no pretense that the recovery of the Northern Rivers will be an easy or simple task.
BUT, I do believe things need to move more quickly and that people can’t afford to wait inordinate amounts of time to find out whether they are eligible.
If this plan could take 1, 2, 5 years or more...what does that mean for those currently living in homes that are in no way suited to be lived in? And what about the elderly? The disabled? Those struggling with depression? What about anyone, really? Unless you have a plan and know when things are going to begin to get better for yourself/your family, living in a flood impacted home indefinitely is just not an option.
The conditions and level of uncertainty many are living with right now is incomprehensible. I sincerely hope that the New Year brings more clarity and transparency around the NRRC’s program and that community’s also get their chance to have their say.
While the future of the Northern Rivers continues to look murky at the moment, I firmly believe that on the other side of this disaster lies a new frontier for the region. I envision a landscape regenerated by the many who care for it, the rivers brought back to health and the soil too, I dream of affordable housing that is not placed at the bottom of the flood plain and a safe roof over everyone’s head, I envision the kindness and collaboration that we’ve seen throughout communities in the aftermath of this event, growing into a new fabric and way of living, the Northern Rivers on the other side of its own personal Dark Night of the Soul, stronger, kinder, more equitable, and abundant. If we can fly to the moon, we really can do this, we can.
Your voice is important and I encourage people with questions to reach out directly to the NRRC, and if your home was severely impacted by floods to register for this program, even if you think you aren’t eligible, the truth is, no one knows yet.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/northern-rivers-reconstruction-corporation/resilient-homes-fund/resilient-homes-program
Click on the video to listen to my interview with David.
