In today's NSW Government's budget announcement, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced what is effectively Tranche 2 funding for the Resilient Homes Program. It was definitely an underwhelming amount when the community expectation was $700 million.

The NSW Government has established a new $150 million Community Restoration Flood Fund in the 2023-24 Budget to support disaster-impacted communities in the Northern Rivers and Central West.

Of the $150 million, the allocation for Lismore and the Northern Rivers is $100 million.

In a media release, the government said:

The new Community Restoration Flood Fund is an acknowledgement that the NSW Government is standing by communities for the long haul.

The 2022 floods exposed several ongoing risks across NSW due to the changing climate and long-standing land uses. The NSW Government recognises that recovery is not a short-term fix and requires evidence-based planning and community leadership.  

While the former government made unfunded commitments to communities, the Minns Government will provide funding through the new Community Restoration Flood Fund and work with community leaders in its allocation. 

The cash injection will be used towards measures such as:

• Priority Disaster Adaptation Plans, including for the Northern Rivers and Central West, so communities are better prepared
• Repair and replacement of critical community assets and improving the resilience of public infrastructure, including bridges and roads
• As a second instalment to the ongoing Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers
• Further assistance with housing programs, with work to be further developed with councils and community leaders.

Over the next two months, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will work closely with local community leaders to prioritise the additional funding and determine potential future funding which may be required.

The new $150 million Community Restoration Flood Fund is in addition to the extra $121 million in funding (including $6 million in capital) to properly resource the NSW Reconstruction Authority and ensure NSW communities are better prepared for natural disasters and can recover faster.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority currently facilitates more than $6.8 billion in State and Commonwealth Grant programs offering support and practical help to those who need it most.

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe as we deal with the impacts of climate change.

Since 2019, NSW has seen more than 60 declared disasters, costing the State $5 billion, with 20,000 homes damaged in 2022 alone.

The financial cost of responding to natural disasters is only increasing, with about 97 per cent of the funding for natural disasters spent after the event.

The Government is also delivering on its election commitments in the 2023-24 Budget for flood support and response programs including:

• $5 million in grant funding to Resilient Lismore and the Reece Foundation to support the Two Rooms Project to help flood survivors get back into their homes
• $3.3 million across three years to 2025-26 to invest in natural disaster detection systems
• $2 million across two years to 2024-25 in grant funding to Tweed Shire Council to fund urban flood resilience and mitigation projects, prioritised from the outcomes of the Murwillumbah Central Business District Drainage Study.

Since the March 2023 election, the NSW Government has provided an additional $2.3 billion over five years (including in 2022‑23) to support communities and improve natural disaster resilience.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin welcomed the extra $100 million but said more was needed.

"Today, I welcome the $100m extra funding that has been committed as part of Tranche 2 flood recovery funding for the Northern Rivers.

"I have fought hard for this funding, and I will continue to fight for more, for every cent we need for our recovery.

"I have also secured a commitment that the NSW Reconstruction Authority must work with local community leaders for further funding needed for our recovery. Locals need to be at the heart of our recovery.

"This budget also includes an extra $121m for the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will make our community better prepared for future events and to fund our recovery.

"I know we need much more, and I will continue to stand up for us. No matter who is in power in Sydney, I will always fight for our community and our recovery."

For a community that has suffered so much pain and trauma since February 28 2022, and has been promised unequivocal support, $100 million feels like a token gesture. What will that amount of money do for the flood recovery? Only time will tell.