Resilient Lismore has just published two significant reports that clearly demonstrate ongoing community disaster recovery needs in the Northern Rivers. The findings show both the unmet needs in the community as well as the effectiveness of the Resilient Lismore ‘Repair to Return’ property repair project.

Resilient Lismore Executive Director Elly Bird says, “These two reports are both useful in understanding how people in the Northern Rivers are travelling more than two and a half years after the disaster.”

In July 2024, Resilient Lismore led a door-to-door outreach and survey program across the Lismore flood zone. The project was supported by Social Futures and Uniting Recovery Support Services programs, and by Lismore City Council, the Red Cross and the Lismore Business Chaplains.

Surveyors asked residents about their recovery needs and experiences, and the status of their house repairs.

“Importantly, our Lismore Flood Zone Survey and Outreach Report, which presents the results of a door-to-door survey we conducted in July, concludes that more than 2000 residents living in over 1000 households across Lismore have still not fully recovered from the 2022 flood and are underprepared for any future disaster.

“It highlights shortfalls in recovery support for households that ‘fall through the cracks’ of existing disaster recovery and preparedness programs.” said Ms. Bird

“Further support is still needed to meet the particular needs of the people living in the flood zone, many of whom are also navigating challenging personal circumstances such as financial strain or living with a disability.”

Resilient Lismore Social Impact Report

Resilient Lismore has also just released its Social Impact Report.

“We have been working closely with Huber Social, an independent third-party expert that specialises in social impact, since early 2023. This report presents the results of surveys of our Repair to Return project participants, as well as our volunteers and our workshop participants.

“In a nutshell, this report shows that as well as repairing houses or running workshops, participation in our programs improves the well-being of the people we work with. Our team knows this, our community knows it, and now we have the evidence that shows the value of a community-led and place-based approach to disaster recovery.”

“We are very pleased that the results show that there are measurable changes overall for respondents' ability to feel hopeful, to feel connected to their community, and to get better sleep, amongst other things.

“These are all significant drivers of wellbeing, so what we know now through a rigorous third-party process is that our program is improving the well-being of participants.

“It’s not all roses, though. The report notes that well-being amongst respondents overall is lower than the national average, so it’s important to remember that there is still a lot that can be done to care for our communities here in the Northern Rivers, and for the people who have been affected by the 2022 disaster.”

The Resilient Lismore ‘Repair to Return’ project is funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, with further contributions from the Lismore Diocese and Goonellabah Rotary.

You can view the Lismore Flood Zone Survey and Outreach Report: https://resilientlismore.org.au/project/community-outreach-surveys/

You can view the Social Impact report: https://resilientlismore.org.au/publications/resilient-lismore-social-impact-report/