The Northern Rivers Resilience and Initiative (NRRI) first community visit, run by NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) and the CSIRO, is only ten days away.

Casino is the first cab off the rank on Thursday, 31 July at 10am. Lismore is next on Monday, 4 August, followed by Ballina (5 August), Woodburn (6 August) and Kyogle (8 August).

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan launched a petition to ask the CSIRO for a model that will take 1 - 2 metres off a flood across the Richmond River Catchment on July 7.

In the past two weeks, thousands of people have already signed the petition online and in local businesses across the region, calling on the Federal and State Governments to model real solutions that can reduce future flood heights.

Click here to sign the petition: https://www.kevinhogan.com.au/flood-petition/.

The encouraging results have been welcomed by Mr Hogan, “This groundswell of support shows just how important this is to our community,” Mr Hogan said.

“People want action to keep us safe, protect our homes, our businesses, and our families. Reducing flood risk improves mental health, protects us financially, helps with insurance, and gives our region a future.”

The petition calls on the Government to use the newly developed CSIRO hydrodynamic tool to model a catchment-wide scenario where a flood is 1–2 metres lower than it would otherwise be. This includes options to hold back, slow down, and divert floodwaters across the entire Richmond River catchment.

Mr Hogan is also encouraging residents to take part in CSIRO’s upcoming in-person consultation sessions to ensure community voices are heard loud and clear.

“These meetings are a chance for locals to tell CSIRO directly what they want modelled. We can’t miss this opportunity.”

In-person sessions are being held in Casino, Lismore, Woodburn, Kyogle and Ballina. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/national-emergency-managment-agency-91910409563.