A spokesperson for Premier Dominic Perrottet has confirmed the interim report for the Flood Inquiry has been scratched. However, the completed report date of 30 September has been brought forward to the 31st of July.

"Following discussions with the Reviewers the Premier accepted their suggestion to combine the two separate reports into one report, and bring forward the final reporting date to end of July."

"This reflects the interrelationship between a number of the issues their work has identified over recent weeks."

What those issues are is anyone's guess but the result can only be good news for all uncertain flood-affected communities in the Northern Rivers as they look for a clear direction for the future in terms of house buy-backs, land swaps and flood mitigation.

The NSW Government established an independent flood inquiry to examine and report on the causes of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from the 2022 catastrophic flood event on February 28.

Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Michael Fuller APM led the Inquiry and will report on:

• the causes of and factors contributing to the frequency, intensity, timing and location of floods;
• preparation and planning by agencies and the community for floods in NSW;
• responses to floods, particularly measures to protect life, property and the environment;
• the transition from incident response to recovery;
• recovery, including housing, clean-up, financial support, community engagement and longer-term community rebuilding.

The Inquiry will consider and, if thought fit, make recommendations on a range of matters, including:

• the safety of emergency services and community first responders;
• current and future land use planning and management and building standards in flood-prone locations across NSW;
• appropriate action to adapt to future flood risks to communities and ecosystems;
• coordination and collaboration between all levels of government.

This will be the most anticipated report in Lismore and the Northern Rivers' history.