A new Government body is to be established within the Department of Regional NSW to lead the long-term reconstruction of flood impacted areas in the north of the State.
Announced by Premier Dominic Perrottet, the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) is to lead a single, coordinated whole-of-Government approach to the permanent recovery and rebuilding of affected communities.
“The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) will coordinate planning, rebuilding and construction work of essential services, infrastructure and housing across multiple Government Agencies to help people in the Northern Rivers communities to rebuild their homes and lives as quickly as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The NRRC will have a long-term remit for reconstruction of flood-hit communities in the Northern Rivers, which will continue beyond the immediate response and recovery phase, which is being led by Resilience NSW.”
He said the NRRC would draw on the recommendations of the recently commissioned NSW Independent Flood Inquiry and lead the long-term reconstruction work to build certainty for future generations.
Mr Perrottet said the Corporation would have the power to work with councils to identify, prioritise and support projects that could rejuvenate communities within the Northern Rivers area, with a particular emphasis on housing and supporting social infrastructure.
“The new body will also have the power to compulsorily acquire or subdivide land, speed up and fast-track the building of new premises and accelerate delivery of planning proposals through the Department of Planning and Environment,” the Premier said.
“Resilience NSW will continue to be responsible for providing immediate relief resupplying impacted communities, restoring essential services, cleaning up properties and providing temporary accommodation in the short to medium terms,” he said.
“The NRRC’s work will extend beyond these timeframes with a three- to five-year remit.”
Mr Perrottet said the Corporation would work within and with the local government areas of Ballina, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Tweed, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Lismore.
Deputy Secretary, Commercial and Corporate Services at the Department of Regional NSW, David Withergin (pictured) has been appointed Chief Executive of NRRC.
Further information on NRRC can be accessed at this PS News link.
