For flood-weary Northern Rivers residents the 2022 New South Wales Flood Inquiry could not come soon enough.
Many of the 500 people attending the inquiry's community meeting in Lismore on Tuesday night lost either their homes or businesses, or both, in the twin events of February and March.
For many, much is riding on the outcomes of this process.
Like so many others in his community, South Lismore's Marcus Bebb was standing inside his home with water up to his chest before he realised no-one was coming to rescue him or his wife and pets.
They scrambled onto the roof and were saved from there by his brother-in-law.
Mr Bebb said he was struggling to cope with what happened.
People spoke out at the meeting about the need for better flood warning systems and the red tape residents are still trying to cut through to access grants and assistance.
There were calls for better communication between government agencies, decentralisation of the State Emergency Service (SES) to reinstate regional headquarters, better systems to tap into the flood knowledge of people living in the hills around Lismore, and an overhaul of the insurance industry.
The impacts of climate change on the region led one speaker to comment that 'Lismore doesn't feel survivable any more'.
"We have been stretched beyond our capacity. Our systems and resources are not built for the climate crisis," the commenter said.
Former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, who with Professor Mary O'Kane is leading the inquiry, said he was there to listen.
"The challenge for Mary and I is to come up with recommendations to protect life and property," he said.
In the lead up to Tuesday's meeting, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the inquiry must deliver answers for people.
"We want to work through this in a way that ensures that as we rebuild our local communities in the Northern Rivers we do so in a way that works and builds resilience," he said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said it was important for people affected by the floods to make a submission to the inquiry.
She said the government would be responding to the findings and recommendations of the inquiry.
"It is incumbent upon each and every government department, emergency services included, to take learnings from what has occurred and make sure that we absolutely do things differently, and better, and adapt accordingly into the future."
Tonight's meeting came as Lismore City Council released its discussion paper on how to rebuild the city in the wake of the catastrophic floods.
General manager John Walker met with the reviewers heading up the inquiry, Mr Fuller and Ms O'Kane, on Tuesday.
Mr Walker said the reviewers were receptive to feedback gathered during the council's process.
"They want to hear from local people and from leaders in the community," he said.
"The things we have raised are receiving sympathetic consideration by the state. We've told the flood inquiry members our views and they have taken that on board."
The NSW Flood Inquiry will report to the Premier on issues including land use planning and management by June 30, and on all other matters by September 30.
Another public meeting is being held on Wednesday morning in the flood-prone village of Tumbulgum, located on the banks of the Tweed River near Murwillumbah.
