abolition – Michmutters

The head of Resilience NSW says it would be “inappropriate” for him to comment on reports the disaster agency will be scrapped after its response to Lismore’s devastating floods earlier this year

Resilience NSW was heavily criticized for its response to the floods in the Northern Rivers during February and March and was under review as part of a recent independent flood inquiry.

The inquiry’s recommendations, led by NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Mary O’Kane and former police commissioner Mick Fuller, were handed to Premier Dominic Perrottet five days ago.

The inquiry was commissioned to investigate the preparation for, causes of and response to the catastrophic floods across NSW earlier this year.

The ABC understands a proposal to dismantle Resilience NSW will now be presented to cabinet.

Aerial photo of Lismore in flood in 2017 — The Lismore community is hoping the findings of the report will help with flood recovery.(ABC North Coast: Ruby Cornish)

Resilience NSW is headed up by Shane Fitzsimmons, who led the government’s response to the Black Summer bushfires as Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS).

Mr Fitzsimmons has so far refused to comment on the report or its outcome.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage regarding the independent report,” he told the ABC this morning.

“It is a matter for the government to consider the details of the report and make their decisions.

“We have been asked to provide comment and feedback as part of their deliberations.”

Labor MP for Lismore Janelle Saffin said reports of the disaster agency’s dismantling were welcome but speculative.

Ms Saffin was one of those who recommended Resilience NSW be abolished in the wake of the floods.

She has called on Mr Perrottet to release the report as a matter of urgency so the Lismore community can get on with its recovery.

“I submitted a report to the Legislative Council inquiry and the independent inquiry — one of my recommendations was the abolition of Resilience NSW,” she told ABC RN’s Patricia Karvelas.

“[And] replace it with a NSW reconstruction authority akin to the Queensland reconstruction authority, that all people in the field say is the best model.

“It actually causes more trauma by not having it released [the report]I would consider a week is long enough.”

Opposition Leader Chris Minns said he would support the dismantling of the agency, which is within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

However, the Deputy Mayor of Byron Shire Council, Sarah Ndiaye said Mr Fitzsimmons had shown commitment to helping north coast flood victims.

Ms Ndiaye said she personally worked with the agency during the February and March floods.

“They were there from six in the morning till 10 at night. [They were] incredibly dedicated and I was really saddened to hear that this is what’s come of the inquiry,” she said.

Mr Fitzsimmons has also been shown support by former Transport Minister Andrew Constance who posted a video on social media on Thursday night.

“For goodness sake. This is a bloke who saved lives, was there for my community and our state during Black Summer, and I think he deserves a little bit better than these guys.” Mr Constance said.

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