In the aftermath of Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Lismore City Council has commenced a structured recovery plan to inspect, assess and understand the full impacts of the disaster on community assets. An experienced team of technical and industry professionals in council have intentionally designed the process to reduce public safety risk and expedite the restoration of public assets with considered use of available resources.
You will have seen Council crews out immediately after the event focusing on emergency works and addressing immediate risks for community. This involves temporary 'make safe' measures to ensure public safety. This initial phase is critical in addressing immediate needs while informing detailed requirements for recovery activity.
The next phase: immediate reconstruction works. This stage spans approximately 90 days and involves a structured process of assessing damage, scoping and estimating works, and delivering a prioritised program for full reconstruction of affected assets.
Council’s experienced Flood Restoration Portfolio team is working alongside our infrastructure and operations teams to deliver with best practice.
The Recovery Plan includes regular reporting on achievements and key metrics and lays the foundation for securing state and federal government support for our community.
The Australian and NSW Governments have confirmed a Natural Disaster Declaration (AGRN 1198) for select local government areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred Severe Weather from 3 March 2025. Follow the link to view the list of available support to residents, businesses and primary producers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a way through which the Australian Government provides funding to states and territories to share the financial burden of responding to a disaster. The DRFA is available when a disaster event is declared by the Australian Government, via the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
DRFA guidelines outline three main types of works undertaken on essential public assets: Emergency Works, Immediate Reconstruction Works, and Essential Public Asset Reconstruction Works.
Council’s recovery plan follows these guidelines, with Emergency Works currently being undertaken.
An asset that meets the definition of an essential public asset under the Australian Government's Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The DRFA defines an essential public asset as: An asset which must be a transport or public infrastructure asset of an eligible undertaking which, the state considers and the department agrees, is an integral part of a state’s infrastructure and normal functioning of a community.
Urgent activities necessary following an eligible disaster to temporarily restore an essential public asset to enable it to operate/be operated at an acceptable level of efficiency to support the immediate recovery of a community, and take place:
Immediate reconstruction activities following an eligible disaster to fully reconstruct a damaged essential public asset, and where no Essential Public Asset Reconstruction Works are required.
Reconstruction works on an essential public asset directly damaged by an eligible disaster for which an estimated reconstruction cost has been developed.