Meeting summary

Welcome and Apologies

The Hon. Janelle Anne Saffin, MP chaired the meeting and opened with an introduction and welcome, and noted that Mr Richie Williamson MP, Cr Dianne Randall and Mayor Mulholland had submitted apologies for not being to attend the meeting. 

Review of actions

Progress on actions was noted. The addition of the beach clean-up post ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was to be noted. As Service NSW is still in ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred mode, the Tell Your Story Once project action item is to be moved to the next meeting.

The Chair mentioned the $64m Riparian Stabilisation Package and her request for it to be included on this month’s agenda; for noting it will be on the May agenda.

Agenda Items

Drainage Reset Program

RA Executive Director of Reconstruction provided an update on the Drainage Reset program, advising 62 of the 77 projects were now complete.

Due to the program’s early success, monitoring and evaluation process will be delivered in two stages, the first being prior to program completion. This will include lessons learnt, program implementation to date, and development of an interim report with findings, including the process of approvals and legacy of the program.

Initial findings show a strong interest in program continuation. While there is work to still deliver in the Northern Rivers, there is interest in expanding to other councils other regions. Regulatory requirements and approval processes are perceived as key obstacles for councils undertaking drain maintenance. It was noted by a member that funding has not been significantly increased since the 1980s, and that there is a need to include urban drains in future programs.

Collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the effective management of acid sulphate soils has led to beneficial reuse, reducing project costs.

It was confirmed that dredging is currently not part of the response of the Drainage and Reset program. There is also limited funding sources for urban drainage works. This is slowly changing, with disaster adaptation planning to help business case planning for future funding for both urban and regional drainage.

RA was thanked for the drainage work and its success. Mayor Sarah Ndiaye noted Byron council had a lot of drains cleared and enquired about blackwater events. How blackwater is created and the benefit of moving this water out of low-lying areas was explained.

Cr Robert Mustow advised of the success of Rous drainage program and the importance of continuing this work without the need for repeated applications for future funding. RA advised a key goal is to discuss ongoing maintenance funding to ensure an ongoing maintenance legacy.

Members were assured that stakeholders and agencies were taken on the program journey, with all concerns raised taken onboard and best practice delivered. A request is with NEMA to extend beyond June to complete current works. RA has put forward funding considerations for the TC Alfred response.

RA shared a success story highlighting the difference in weather impacts during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred on two identical Soybean crops located near each other. One crop where drains were cleared experienced no losses; the other with no current drainage program works observed over 75% in crop losses.

The Chair said she had received positive feedback in writing on the program and would like to see this work built into the Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP).  The Chair also advised she will seek extension of the 5-year plan and asked for more information to support this request. RA will pull together a full report.

Temporary Housing Village update

RA provided an update on the Temporary Villages, advising that 306 households are being supported by Community Housing Providers (CHPs). Feedback from residents of decommissioning villages was shared. While residents expressed concerns for their future, they also said the villages had provided a safe haven where they’d been able to access support to help with complex trauma, mental health, alcohol and other drug issues. 

RA presented on the collaboration with Homes NSW which involves working closely with councils and CHPs to explore use of vacant properties for crisis and transitional housing, and options to use pods going forward.

Licence fee payments continue in villages, other than Wardell, and are in line with other social housing. The process is going well.

The future use of temporary housing assets was discussed, with assets under $500 to be available for gifting to residents exiting the temporary village program. This includes furniture and appliances such as fridges, lounges, washing machines and beds.

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye mentioned the lack of a plan to address housing concerns in the Byron Shire, with the council awaiting the land and crown audit. The Chair advised there will be a follow up on the previous Homes NSW presentation.

Recovery Coordinator

The Chair advised members that Superintendent Scott Tanner was finishing in his role as Recovery Coordinator for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The Chair and members thanked him for his work. 

Superintendent Scott Tanner thanked the group for their support and collaboration and provided an update on the recovery work delivered to date. The beach erosion and clean-up had gone well, with feedback received that beaches were well presented for the Easter holidays. 

Geoff Provest MP and Mayor Cadwallader asked for coastal erosion to be discussed at a future CLF meeting meeting.

Closing

The Chair advised that the DAP update agenda item would be covered at the next meeting due to time constraints. The meeting closed at 4.30pm.