The Australian Government is providing $150 million in 2022–23 for priority flood resilience projects in the Northern Rivers.

The Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative will provide science to inform the investment, through a process to understand the drivers behind the unprecedented flood event in February-March 2022 and develop community-supported solutions for resilience investment.

The National Emergency Management Agency has engaged Australia’s national science agency CSIRO to support the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, which will consider climate, catchment and hydrological systems, and the broader influences of land-use practice and infrastructure.

This $11.2 million Initiative will enable the CSIRO to assess different mitigation scenarios, consider the broader influences mentioned above, such as land use, and identify and prioritise options for mitigating flood risks in the Northern Rivers region. A core part of the project is to undertake engagement with key stakeholders to seek their views regarding priorities for investment.

While the main report is not due until May 2024, there will be a 'Rapid Review and Assessment' undertaken which will be released in December 2022.

Community consultation is part of this process and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has today provided an update on the ‘Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative’.

The community consultation dates are listed below across the Northern Rivers with links to register your name for your respective area.

“I secured funding for CSIRO to do a whole-of-catchment study and to come back to us with flood mitigation proposals, both engineering and environmental,” Mr Hogan said.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been committed to fund the recommendations of this study.”

“Community consultation dates have been announced across our region, this is a great opportunity to share your ideas.”

“This study is important because we need to do much more on flood mitigation to allow us to build back with confidence.”

Details of each workshop can be found below:

Workshop, Date & Registration

Goonellabah Community Centre, Goonellabah: Monday 17 October Register here

Lismore Workers Sports Club, Lismore: Tuesday 18 October Register here

Wardell Catholic Church Hall, Wardell: Wednesday 19 October Register here

Ballina Jockey Club, Ballina: Thursday 20 October Register here

Casino Community & Cultural Centre, Casino: Monday 24 October Register here

Coraki, location TBC: Tuesday 25 October Register soon

Maclean Bowls Club, Maclean: Wednesday 26 October Register here

Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton: Thursday 27 October Register here

Kyogle Showgrounds, Kyogle: Monday 31 October Register here

Murwillumbah Civic Centre, Murwillumbah: Tuesday 1 November Register here

South Tweed Sports Centre, South Tweed: Wednesday 2 November Register here

Ocean Shores Country Club, Ocean Shores: Wednesday 2 November Register here

Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, Mullumbimby: Thursday 3 November Register here