Lismore will be a hive of activity in the flood recovery building space in 2026. The Resilient Lands Program has been in the planning and negotiation stage for many years, and very soon, according to Member for Lismore and Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin, it will finally be time to build.

In the latest Talking Lismore podcast, Ms Saffin also discussed the new Northern Rivers Economic Profile and Natural Hazard Impacts Report put together by the highly respected international firm, Deloitte at the request of the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).

More will be said about the report in the coming days as it is being presented to 80-plus business owners and managers at breakfast meeting today at the Lismore Workers Club.

The report looks at the socio-economic impact of three natural disasters: the 2019 Bushfires, the 2022 Floods and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March this year. The 2022 Floods obviously had the highest socio-economic cost, $3.7 billion, compared to $2 billion for Alfred and $1.2 billion for the bushfires.

One of the takeaways from the report that impressed Ms Saffin, was the strength and resilience of our regional economy.

"In some areas, we started better off than other regions, and we've continued that. Part of it was our diverse economy as well. Yes, we took a hit with the floods, and that's measurable, and we can see it, but even with that, we've sustained that strength and resilience. So that was a pleasant surprise to me."

That diversity is the different types of industries that keep our city ticking over. In Lismore, it is service-led industries, like Health Care and Social Assistance, Education & Training, and Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing, to name the top three.

"It has sustained us throughout all the shocks we've had from COVID, or bushfires, or floods, you know, disasters. Some people clearly took a battering, but it has sustained us. And it was a pleasant surprise to read it. We know it locally, because we live here in Lismore, but in the region, we're quite strong.

"But also, we don't really have a regional economic strategy, and it would be good if we could come together to develop that. Now, two things are underway: Business NSW Regional Northern, with Jane Laverty, is doing some really groundbreaking work on PROSPER. I was able to get them $250,000, a very small investment to do this work. They're looking at the big picture in the region and asking what more can we do? All the businesses have been engaged in it. So there's some great work going on there."

PROSPER involves local councils; however, it is business-led, so Ms Saffin has more confidence in its success when looking at future growth industries for the Northern Rivers than with the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO).

"I would hope that they could lead in some of that work. And also, quite a few years ago, I did get some funding put aside to do the vision work and the scoping work for a Regional Economic Master Plan, and that hasn't seen the light of day yet.

"Over the years, it's been a real challenge to lead something at a regional scale through forerunners to the NRJO. They did agree that we should have a master plan, but it's still limping along. That is the kindest way I can say it. I did get money. It was put aside. And then, of course, it disappeared, because two years down the track, it wasn't used. And I said, It becomes very difficult to keep hanging on to government money."

RESILIENT LANDS PROGRAM

The progress being made on the 50 Build to Rent properties in East Lismore is impressive. Of course, it took quite some time to get to this point because of the negotiated sale of the land from Southern Cross University to the RA, and the planning and approval process that is involved.

"Landcom are doing it, and Landcom are experienced. They're experienced developers. So it's absolutely great to have them charging ahead. I felt the same. I announced it over a year and a half ago, talked about it, looked at it, but it's going.

"And now, within a week or so, we'll also be out there with the other part of the development, up to 400 sites. So we're cracking on with that. That will be soon.

"And then North Lismore. That land is now owned by the government under the Resilient Lands Program. Signed the contract, done deal. That will be with Homes New South Wales. So, that's another one you'll hear about more soon, but they're getting ready to go.

"Richmond River High School, that's signed off too. I actually signed it as Minister for Recovery that Section 68. So let's crack on."

South Lismore Public School has started preparatory work for its build as another sign of recovery, and when we spoke about the progress being made at Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah, we could take about the scaffolding around the houses.

"Words fail me as to the glacial pace, that's all I'll say. I'll leave it there," Ms Saffin lamented.

THE PACER PROGRAM

Finally, we have someone employed to be the PACER (Police Ambulance Clinical Early Response) person to help keep the CBD safe. The PACER program is a collaboration between NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the Northern NSW Local Health District, in this case.

"Someone wants the job, and it's like hallelujah. She's been on the ground a couple of weeks and out and about with the police. That was the whole purpose of PACER working hand in glove with police, and Acting Superintendent Susie Johnston has welcomed her.

"Police get called out a lot, and as we know, and quite often, it's because of disturbances by people with mental health, and the PACER person can work with them. The police are law enforcers, that's what they do, and they do it well, but having someone with them who is a trained clinician practitioner can help de-escalate or defuse a situation. They can help if they need to be taken into some care, get that to happen or work all of that out. It just diffuses situations and can be safer as well for police and the people."

EAST LISMORE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

The East Lismore Treatment Plant has been in a stalemate for some time, so it was time to ask Ms Saffin, as Minister for Recovery, for an update. Lismore City Council want over $80 million to rebuild the plant and put it out of future floods. Mayor Krieg has said they have been offered $36 million.

"First of all, as the Member for Lismore, I live in Lismore. If we could build it so that it was much better than what it was, because it was pretty ordinary, it wasn't in good shape, and if we could build it back better and it was out of flood, that's fantastic. That's what I want as a local person.

"But the $145 million that was announced. I was at the announcement. I saw the language in the media release. And I've always cautioned ministers about being careful, under promise and over deliver, because I've been in so many disasters. I see the language. So, I was there, and that was Minister Kevin Anderson in Premier Perrottet's government that announced it. At the time, I was told it was for immediate repairs to water and wastewater networks, emergency works, then longer term, permanent repairs, and in some cases, there could be increased flood resilience that were feasible within the $145 million allocation.

"I think reading it, we might think it's just for Lismore, it's not, it was for the Northern Rivers region, and it was announced for the Northern Rivers region. It was announced for seven local government areas, Clarence, Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Tweed and Rous County Council. So, everyone had to share in it. Lismore would get the lion's share, understandably, so, up to $80 million, up to the waste and the water, and everyone else had to share in that.

"The first time I heard about it was when the mayor was going to meet with the premier about it, and I said, show me what was said and done, what was promised, because I had stuff from NRRC and Reconstruction Authority and Public Works. I said, show me where it said that, and I don't have anything that shows me that.

"I do understand that the then General Manager, just after the floods, had said it would be over $100 million he wanted. I remember that, but I haven't seen anything in writing. What I do have in writing contradicts that.

"I'm not saying I don't want it. I do. I'm a Lismore resident. But also, I did say, prosecute it outside of this. This was locked in ages ago, the $145 mill, and it was for all the councils. So, put your argument forward separately."

It sounds like Lismore City Council, Mayor Steve Krieg and General Manager Eber Butron need to sit down with Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin, and finalise a path forward.

The full Talking Lismore podcast can be heard by clicking the link, or for Lismore App website readers, click here.