23 August 2022

NSW Independent Flood Inquiry

The NSW Independent Flood Inquiry’s report was released last week, the second such report to be published in as many weeks that investigated this year’s catastrophic floods.

The report acknowledged the unprecedented scale and severity of the flooding events and made 28 recommendations across a broad range of areas, including emergency management arrangements, land management and planning, as well as infrastructure preparedness.

Like the previous flood report, a number of the inquiry’s key recommendations aligned with LGNSW’s submission to the inquiry and the crucial feedback we heard from councils in forming our position.

This included:

• Mitigation and adaptation – A call for greater investment in risk mitigation and adaptation measures in response to changing climate risks (LGNSW recommendations 1 - 2)
• Roads – Ensuring evacuation routes are well-maintained and that NSW and Federal government funding is coordinated and prioritised where needed most (LGNSW recommendation 9)
• River and rain gauges – Ownership and maintenance responsibility of as many gauges as possible should be transferred to the Bureau of Meteorology (LGNSW recommendation 20)
• Power, telecommunications and essential services – NSW Government to take action to minimise disruption and ensure sufficient back-up capabilities (LGNSW recommendation 6)
• Housing and especially social housing – NSW and Federal governments to invest additional funds to grow the stock of social and affordable housing, and seek advice on additional actions to improve rental affordability to reverse homelessness and take pressure off social housing waitlists (LGNSW recommendations 25 - 28).

In response, the NSW Government supported six of the report’s recommendations in full, with the remaining 22 supported in-principle.

While the NSW Government’s response is encouraging, many of the significant recommendations of the inquiry will require much more detail and consultation with councils and other key stakeholders before they are implemented.

As I said last week, it is essential that the NSW Government acts quickly on implementing the recommendations. With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting significant rainfall for most of NSW this spring, it is imperative that councils are provided with the proper resources and support and that the mistakes of this year’s floods are not repeated  

Recovery from and resilience to natural disasters form key elements of LGNSW’s 2022 Advocacy Priorities and we will continue to call for greater action from the NSW and Federal governments in these areas.

I would like to thank the inquiry’s leads, Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Michael Fuller APM, for their engagement with councils and LGNSW throughout the inquiry.

Win! Mental health support for NSW flood victims

The release of the latest flood inquiry report coincided with the announcement from the Federal Government that it would provide $13.1 million in funding for mental health support to communities impacted by this year’s floods.

This commitment is in line with our advocacy to State and Federal governments, which is guided by Resolution 48 of the LGNSW 2022 Special Conference from Albury City Council, which calls for action on the mental health crisis impacting so many communities across NSW.

Appropriate mental health services have never been more important and this funding recognises the tremendous toll the flooding events have had on communities across the state.

Win! More funding to support additional housing

Following on from its budget announcement, the State Government has stuck to its word and announced $300 million in funding to fast-track the delivery of essential infrastructure to enable thousands of new homes and jobs across NSW.

The funding – made available via the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund – is open to 41 high-growth councils, which critically for the very first time includes 23 regional locations. It can be used for infrastructure projects such as roads, stormwater, electricity infrastructure and public open space projects.

This announcement is a big win for those councils facing a housing availability and affordability crisis and I congratulate the State Government on showing it is genuinely committed to delivering more homes across NSW.

LGNSW Annual Conference update

The 2022 LGNSW Annual Conference is inching closer (taking place between 23 and 25 October) and one of the highlights will be the presentation of the LGNSW Service Awards.

If you know an elected council member who has gone above and beyond and would like them recognised at the conference for their service, then please submit your nomination by 5pm on Monday 29 August.

I would also like to remind those councils that are yet to elect conference voting delegates to please include an item on your agenda in either your August or September meetings to meet our 10 October deadline.

In addition, financial members are asked to submit motions for the annual conference by Monday 29 August 2022 to allow for the preparation of the Business Paper.

EOI to join StateCover Board

StateCover – an insurer dedicated to NSW councils – is seeking expressions of interest from eligible and suitably qualified councillors who wish to join its board.

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be a councillor of a council that is a member of LGNSW and a policy-holding council member of StateCover.

Applications close at midnight on 2 September and the new directors will commence their roles from November.

For more information please email [email protected].

Two Way Planning, Design and Place classes

Murawin and Collaborations, with support from the Planning Institute Australia, are holding master classes to help build confidence and capacity to help planners, urban designers and place makers work more effectively with Indigenous communities.

The Two Way Planning, Design and Place classes will teach how to integrate cultural narratives and First Nations strategies into your work, while also exploring the relationships between Country and place and how these impact upon the approach of built environment professionals and place makers.

Registrations are essential. For more information visit www.planning.org.au/events.

Ukraine Independence Day

This Wednesday (24 August) is Ukraine Independence Day.

To mark the occasion, Woollahra Municipal Council will fly the Ukraine flag at its council chambers to show its support for residents of Ukrainian descent and demonstrate opposition to the ongoing conflict in that country.

Anyone wishing to learn more about Woollahra Municipal Council’s efforts and how they can also support Ukraine during this difficult period is encouraged to contact Woollahra Municipal Council Mayor Cr Susan Wynne on 0418 872 903.

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