The first Lismore public session of the NSW Independent Flood Inquiry was held in the Whitebrook Theatre at Southern Cross University last night.

The anticipated full-house didn't eventuate, however, the three-quarters full theatre was made up of residents from all over the Northern Rivers willing to share their story or listen to others tell their story about the catastrophic February 28 flood to the two most important people in the room, Professor Mary O'Kane and former NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller.

The night was kicked off by Mayor Steve Krieg who warned people not to expect any answers which was reiterated by Mary O'Kane who said "I am going to disappoint you, we are not going to give you any answers. Mick and I are here to listen." For the next two hours, they did exactly that.

There was clearly a great deal of emotion in the room as people, still traumatised from that night and day on February 27 & 28, retold a story they would have shared multiple times. Often people would pause and gather themselves when detailing their rescue or how they had rescued others.

The common themes from the night were:

• Communication
• Government Grants
• Early Warning Systems
• Community Preparedness
• Rebuilding
• Flood Mitigation

COMMUNICATION

Many people spoke about the lack of clear communication when the 14.4-metre flood was building. No one had any idea it would reach that level but the gaps between BoM reports were too long and the communication from lead emergency rescue teams was not shared with the community.

Ongoing communication during the flood was an issue with mobile signals non-existent, no power meant no way for charging mobile phones so our reliance on technology was clearly a failure. Maybe satellite dishes on every roof was a suggestion.

Calls to 000 or SES were taking too long with one person saying "25 minutes" was the wait time for their emergency call to be answered.

Another man with modelling experience had run the numbers that told him Ballina would flood which meant Lismore's flood was going to be big. Where did that information go?

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Access to government grants was another popular theme with many still not receiving any money in their bank accounts.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

Those that have had flood experiences talked about how the early warning systems appear floored. Back 20 or 30 years ago people in the hills would contact someone as their levels reached a point where they knew it would flood in town. What happened to using local knowledge?

One suggestion came from the post-Christchurch earthquakes that involved a mobile phone alarm that can only be switched off when you pick up your phone as a warning system.

People spoke about how the BoM's information was totally inadequate in warning people in the Northern Rivers, there were too many hours between reports.

COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

Without apportioning blame, people spoke about how the lead agencies were inadequately supplied with resources to respond to the unfolding crisis.

One man spoke of seeing one SES boat with a motor towing another SES boat without a motor. Another saying there was no flood drill, each organisation was operating as a silo while another said our SES building was one of the first to go underwater. Why would we build an emergency agency headquarters in a floodplain?

We are simply under-resourced to react to another disaster.

Everyone praised the efforts of the community that pulled together to save lives and help each other.

RE-BUILDING

Many had suggestions for those that want to keep living in a flood plain that included building an escape hatch from the roof cavity to the roof as people had been advised to climb into the roof cavity of their home and there was concern about being trapped. A ladder on the outside of the house leading to the roof was another thought or building pontoons around the house so it could float with the rising water.

Other people wanted the option to relocate or move their house out of the floodplain. The East Lismore golf course was mentioned as a possible option with another concerned for the wildlife on the ridge if that occurs.

Affordable insurance was also raised that may need to be underwritten by the government.

FLOOD MITIGATION

Flood mitigation was always going to be raised and there were plenty of suggestions.

One 84-year-old environmental scientist with a specialty in rivers said we need to think out of the box. We could change and alter the river patterns, even to flow inland. Others said we could divert the water before it got to town.

The M1 upgrade was blamed for acting like a dam with one apparent photo showing water on the flooded town side and none on the other ocean side.

The dredging of the rivers to achieve a faster flow out of town or retention basins upstream to slow the flow were other suggestions.

"The flood is in all our bodies" is a line that will stay with many at SCU last night along with "This area is on its knees as are the people".

Many were concerned that once again we will be listened to but nothing will be done or a token gesture will be implemented.

Professor Mary O'Kane said submissions close on May 20, however, if submissions were received later they will be read.

Professor O'Kane and Mr Fuller will be presenting causation, land use planning and management and related matters to the Premier by 30 June 2022, and on all other matters by 30 September 2022.

You can submit your thoughts or share your story:

• In-Person at any Service NSW centre (The Quad or Business NSW hub at A-Block SCU)
• Online www.nsw.gov.au/floodinquiry,
• Via email inquiry@floodinquiry.nsw.gov.au or
• Post your submission to:

NSW Independent Flood Inquiry

GPO Box 5341

Sydney, NSW, 2001