Northern Rivers Prioritisation Review | Resilient Homes Program

In 2023, as part of a recovery reset and after feedback from the community in the Northern Rivers, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) established an expert Peer Review Panel to review the original prioritisation approach for the Resilient Homes Program. This approach was developed by floodplain management and economic specialists and used the most recent flood information available at the time.

The independent Peer Review Panel included:

• Steven Molino, Director, Water Technology Pty Ltd
• Andrew Gissing, Chief Executive Officer, Natural Hazards Research Australia
• Professor Seth Westra, Director, University of Adelaide Water Research Centre.

The expert panel undertook their review in late 2023, and the full report detailing their findings can be downloaded: Independent Peer Review (PDF 547.03KB).

Overall, the Panel found that:

• the Resilient Homes Program designed for the Northern Rivers is using the best available flood and floor level data
• the risk assessment methodology is logical and generally aligned with recommended risk assessment principles
• the methodology identifies homes for buyback that have the greatest physical risk to buildings and their occupants
• the methodology identifies homes that would benefit from raising or retrofits.
  The Panel identified 25 specific recommendations in their report to help improve the risk assessment, prioritisation process and reporting for the Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers. 

These include:

• further analysis to identify whether factors such as flood timing, overland flow and flash flooding, warning availability and climate change would change prioritisation
• further analysis to identify if house raising will increase risk to life and property in some locations, and measures to avoid house raising in these areas
• better documenting the reasoning behind particular decisions
• more clearly explaining eligibility for the program streams (i.e. Home Buyback, Home Raising and Home Retrofit)
• establishing a framework to continuously monitor and evaluate the program’s implementation
• develop principles to ensure Resilient Homes Program continues to be based on best available information.

The report also noted that vulnerability is an important factor and should continue to be considered on a case by case basis.

RA committed to accepting all recommendations of the report and to broaden the eligibility criteria for the Resilient Homes Program. This includes considering individual circumstances such as social vulnerability at the beginning alongside the flood risk, using the criteria in line with the Appeal Policy process. This change supports vulnerable homeowners who are experiencing exceptional circumstances. It also aims to reduce the fragmented nature of buybacks in some locations.

Homeowners who are dissatisfied with a Resilient Homes Program decision can request an internal review or lodge an appeal.