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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christine Tondorf

Fights broke out as top-down approach to Lismore flood response failed, inquiry told

Lismore Flood Resilience NSW Janelle Saffin Naomi Moran New South Wales Steve Krieg Koori Mail
People use small boats to travel through flood water in Lismore on 28 February.
People use small boats to travel through flood water in Lismore on 28 February. A parliamentary inquiry into catastrophic flooding in the town has heard residents were disillusioned with the response from officials. Photograph: Jason O’Brien/AP

Lismore residents have told of fights breaking out between members of the public trying to help and officials attempting to implement a failed “top-down” approach during the height of the flood emergency.

Several community witnesses at a parliamentary inquiry into catastrophic flooding in the town told MPs on Tuesday they were completely disillusioned with Resilience NSW, the new agency established in 2020 to lead disaster and emergency efforts from prevention to recovery.

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