Lismore Flood Plain Management
Page: 6975
Mr GEORGE (Lismore) [7.10 p.m.]: I stress to the Minister for Agriculture, and Minister for Land and Water Conservation the importance of the Lismore flood levee scheme. It is prudent to inform the Minister of progress to date. This project has had a long gestation period for a scheme of its type and the next step will be the allocation of funds from Federal and State governments. I am mindful of the Federal Government's commitment in its current budget to provide additional funding for regional flood mitigation projects, and I trust the Minister will be able to support the local council in its bid for adequate funding to enable the scheme to progress. The council followed the required process by applying through the State Government for funding for the scheme in 1999-2000 on the basis of expending $1 million in the first 12 months: $400,000 from the State Government, $400,000 from the Federal Government and $200,000 from local government.
If approval had been forthcoming before December 1999 the council would have been able to initiate primary work on the scheme, including essential property acquisition. Since 1990 flood plain management authorities have been particularly supportive of the county council and its aim to achieve an effective flood levee scheme for Lismore, an acknowledgement of the relative importance of this major infrastructure program to our local area in particular, and to regional New South Wales in general. The $10 million scheme will proceed as soon as the local and State subsidy allocations are approved. In a letter to me, the Minister stated:
At the present time, I am not in a position to inform you with any certainty regarding the timing and the amount of the 1999/2000 grant offers for the "State-Only" and Commonwealth assisted floodplain management programs. In fact, the Department of Land and Water Conservation informs me that it may be some months before the Commonwealth finalises its project allocations for New South Wales.
It is estimated that the levee scheme will cost almost $9.4 million, and the State and Federal governments, after initially indicating that they would share funding of two-fifths each, have since indicated they will now provide only one-third each, with council having to find the other third. Council is expected to further lobby the governments to provide funding of more than one-third each. The council is concerned about the financial implications. The community has waited decades for this project. I emphasise the importance of the project, which cannot be held up any longer. Council has indicated it will undertake the riverbank beautification project at the same time so that materials removed will be able to be used, at low-cost, in the flood levee project. Lismore City Council needs the Government's financial commitment and support for this important project. I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture, and Minister for Land and Water Conservation.
Mr MOSS (Canterbury—Parliamentary Secretary) [7.15 p.m.]: I will certainly bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture, and Minister for Land and Water Conservation. Lismore is an area that is indeed prone to flooding. Although the Minister has advised in the past that he could not guarantee funding in the present round, I am sure that he is mindful of the problems associated with flooding in Lismore. I am sure that after reading the honourable member's comments, the Minister will give every consideration to his request.