Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has created a new position in his government, Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery. Senator Tony Sheldon is the man appointed to the post.

Senator Sheldon had his first tour of Lismore yesterday with Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.

Ms Saffin introducing Senator Sheldon said he will not only work closely with the Minister for Emergency Management Senator Watt but will be an advocate for the Northern Rivers region as we continue the rebuild including the longer term issues of preparedness and mitigation plus the 'here and now' issues of grants, temporary accommodation and the like.

"I got a phone call from the Prime Minister, Albo, and he said there is a really important role that we need to make sure that the government isn't dropping the ball and the responsibilities we have because we are refusing to be put in a position where we're not following through with emergency disaster recovery."

"Disaster Recovery, goes to not only months but also goes to years and that means it's important we have a consistency and also, frankly, someone to kick up the backside and say come-on we need to get this thing happening right now"

Senator Sheldon spent some time yesterday talking to all sides of the community from residents and local business people to mayors and general managers from all local government areas of the Northern Rivers and Aboriginal community representatives.

"One of messages was very clear, everyone wants there to be a very clear purpose and very clear strategy. They want the response to suggestions and recommendations that have been put up to have a pathway in that strategy. So, not only do we get the answers quickly and not only are we agile enough to make changes when necessary between the three levels of government but to work cooperatively and also make sure that we've got a plan on how that fits in for the Northern Rivers area."

Senator Sheldon praised the "good initiatives" so far but said they will only be "great initiatives" if the community is directly involved in those conversations. He believes there is a desire from all three levels of government to make that happen.

"If you want to support your community, and that's what I want to do as far as I'm concerned, the Northern Rivers area is now part of my community and responsibility then I need to be able to turn around and make sure that people are getting the information directly from those that are affected, those that have answers and those that have concerns."

While we have a new Labor Federal Government, a Liberal/National Party local member and a Liberal/National Party State Government, the point was made that Senator Sheldon will work in a bipartisan way with Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan. In fact they have already had conversations in Canberra last week.

When asked about how the two major levels of government work together given the Federal role is more co-funding financial packages and the local government infrastructure rebuild. Senator Sheldon said, " I think that the state governments are delivering their services, that's where their expertise is across the country in different states of the country. But also, it's important that the third level of government, local government is intimately involved in part of that decision making process as well because they have experience that other levels of government don't."

"There's a real hunger to get it right, there's a real hunger to have conversations about how we get it right. The fact is we need to be realistic, this is a recovery timeframe, that is not only about what we're doing tomorrow, which is important, but what we are going to be doing in the coming years which is critical."

There was talk about the consistency of planning and strategy from all three levels of government, one that can be modified given the changing climate and the disasters and challenges that we are experiencing on a more regular basis. Senator Sheldon said, "There's a degree of coordination, it needs to be better and there's a hunger to make it even better."

As the coordination across the three levels of government improves, let's hope the communication of the planning and the agreed strategies, complete with time-frames also improves so the people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers fully understand where their city or town is heading, what the future looks like in an ever changing world and how their own lives can be made safer and happier a part of that plan.