NSW Independent Flood Inquiry Terms of Reference

1. The Inquiry is to consider and report to the Premier on the following matters: 

a. the causes of, and factors contributing to, the frequency, intensity, timing and location of floods in NSW in the 2022 catastrophic flood event, including consideration of any role of weather, climate change, and human activity;

b. the preparation and planning by agencies, government, other entities and the community for floods in NSW, including the accuracy and timing of weather forecasts, current laws, emergency management plans, practices and mitigation strategies, their application and effect;

c. responses to floods, particularly measures to protect life, property and the environment, including:

• i. immediate management, including the issuing and response to public warnings;
• ii. resourcing, coordination and deployment, including with respect to the Australian Defence Force; and
• iii. equipment and communication systems;

d. the transition from incident response to recovery, including the roles, structure and procedures of agencies, government, other entities and the community;

e. recovery from floods, including:

• i. immediate housing, clean-up, financial support and community engagement measures; and
• ii. longer-term community rebuilding support; and

f. any other matters that the inquiry deems appropriate in relation to floods.

2. And to make recommendations arising from the Inquiry as considered appropriate, including on:

a. safety of all emergency service personnel and community first responders;

b. preparation and planning for future flood threats and risks;

c. use of flood gauges and other warning structures and/or strategies for improved flood prediction;

d. impact on essential services, including electricity supply, water supply and telecommunications;

e. land use planning and management and building standards, including:

• i. the instruments, policies and programs applying to existing development in flood prone locations across NSW; and
• ii. the instruments, policies and programs applying to proposed future developments in flood prone locations across NSW;

f. appropriate action to adapt to future flood risks to communities and ecosystems;

g. coordination and collaboration between the NSW Government and the Australian Government;

h. coordination and collaboration by the NSW Government with other state and territory governments and local governments; and

i. public communication and advice systems and strategies.

3. The Inquiry is required to report to the Premier on causation, land use planning and management, and related matters (see paragraphs 1(a), 2(e) and 2(f)) by 30 June 2022, and on all other matters by 30 September 2022.