Acting NSW Premier Paul Toole says "we need a better response going into the future" after announcing an inquiry into the devastating floods that hit the state.
The government has announced an independent inquiry will be led by the recently retired police commissioner, Michael Fuller, and Planning Commission Chair, Mary O'Kane — the state's inaugural chief scientist and engineer from 2008 to 2018.
Mr Toole said Mr Fuller and Professor O'Kane would listen to the community's ideas and the government would be required to act on their recommendations.
"No two floods are ever the same, no two natural disasters are ever the same but we need to make sure we get better to responding to them," he said.
"Any changes that are important that are going to save lives and better protect property need to be listened to."
The announcement comes as protesters dumped debris from the Lismore floods outside the Prime Minister's Sydney home, calling for action on climate change.
Tasked with looking at the state's preparedness, recovery and response to the recent flood emergency, the inquiry comes as those impacted accuse the government of abandoning them.
The "catastrophic" floods broke many records across the state's river systems with the clean-up bill expected to top $240 million, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
An initial report is due by June 30 with the inquiry wrapping up by September.
Mr Toole said the time frame allowed NSW to "quickly" get on with the process of prevention.
"We have always said we will take whatever action we can to improve our management of natural disasters, and this inquiry is an important step in that process," Mr Toole said.
Communities have started the daunting task of recovery — clearing away debris, mud and built-up black sludge — in a process expected to take months.
Just last week, caravan, fridges and pontoons were among the tonnes of waste still washing up along the Hawkesbury River.
In the hard-hit region of northern NSW, it is estimated that more than 3,000 homes in the Lismore Local Government Area have been assessed as "not habitable".
At the height of the crisis, many residents waited for hours on roofs, due to a lack of emergency personnel and equipment.
Remarkable stories emerged of locals in "tinnies" conducting multiple rescues but while they have been praised for their efforts locals argue the over-reliance on volunteers needs to change.
Victims have also been left asking why untrained people were left to fill the critical gaps in flood rescue.
The ABC has also been told of breakdown in communications infrastructure, including problems with reaching triple-0.
Mr Toole said all these issues would be considered by the review but stressed it would not impact the work that is underway to help people rebuild their lives.
"The Inquiry will sit alongside our flood recovery efforts," he said.
"We'll continue to put everything we can into ensuring we get impacted people and communities back on their feet as quickly as possible."
The inquiry is required to report on:
- The causes of and factors contributing to the frequency, intensity, timing and location of floods
- Preparation and planning by agencies and the community for floods in NSW
- Responses to floods, particularly measures to protect life, property and the environment
- The transition from incident response to recovery
- Recovery, including housing, clean-up, financial support, community
- Engagement and longer-term community rebuilding
It can consider and make recommendations "if warranted" in areas, including:
- The safety of emergency services and community first responders
- Current and future land use planning and management and building standards in flood prone locations across NSW
- Appropriate action to adapt to future flood risks to communities and their surrounds
- Coordination and collaboration between all levels of government.
Details of public consultations and where submissions can be made will be "published soon".
