The New South Wales (NSW) government has released the O'Kane-Fuller Flood Inquiry's findings and its response to the inquiry's recommendations.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the independent flood inquiry's 28 recommendations serve as a guide to ensure the government and communities prepare for floods in the future and recover faster.
“We now have a pathway to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from future floods across NSW that also builds on the ongoing flood recovery efforts that are taking place,” Perrottet said.
The recommendations include:
“Work will start on implementing a number of the recommendations immediately, while other recommendations will require further work and be implemented in stages, with ongoing community consultation and engagement,” Perrottet said.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), which has been calling on all Australian governments to increase funding for extreme weather events, has welcomed the release of the NSW flood inquiry's findings and the state government's response to its recommendations, particularly on land-use planning and relocating homes in the most flood-prone areas.
“The O'Kane-Fuller Inquiry sets out the risks posed by extreme weather at a regional and local level, and if its recommendations are properly implemented, will significantly enhance the state's capability to prepare for future events,” said ICA CEO Andrew Hall. “We commend the NSW government on its willingness to listen to the experts [and] make the significant investments needed, and we look forward to working with the new Reconstruction Authority.”