As the cleanup continues and the number of condemned houses gets closer to being released (rumoured at 2000), questions are being asked about what people will do in the short term? How long can they stay at GSAC or SCU? What happens in 1 month or 3?

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has called for the Premier to come up with urgent support to address the immediate and longer-term housing crisis in the Lismore electorate.

‘Just before this devastating flood, I had written to the Premier about the dire housing crisis in Lismore – calling for support and intervention to address housing affordability, supply and the homelessness crisis.

‘Now the situation can only be described as diabolical.

‘We can’t extend the emergency accommodation centres for longer than is absolutely necessary and we desperately need more appropriate solutions for shelter for residents who can’t return home while homes are repaired, and those who have no home to return to.

‘I am in the early stages of developing a working group of local stakeholders from all levels of government and non-government to collaborate and discuss possible solutions to this unfolding crisis. We can work with Landcom in NSW as well as Defence Housing Australia.

‘I want to include dialogue with organisations such as Habitat for Humanity and Shelterbox who have provided emergency accommodation and modular housing following other disasters.

‘But we can’t begin discussions without the guarantee of sufficient funding, which can be accessed quickly – to implement any initiatives we arrive upon.

‘I have called on the Premier to work with myself, local councils, the Federal Government and others to ensure the Lismore electorate is supported in the critical weeks and months ahead.

‘We need to ensure that those who were rescued from their flooded houses have somewhere to live and recover while we attempt the rebuild.

‘Without significant support from all levels of government this region will be in dire straits.

I am calling on the Premier to do what he can to avert a further catastrophe and ensure access to short to medium term accommodation for hundreds if not thousands of displaced residents.