Hawkesbury City Council is calling on the NSW Government to deliver on its promises, as delays in establishing a streamlined approval process to repair riverbanks damaged by the March 2021 floods, is creating further hardship for residents.
The March floods caused significant damage to riverbanks which affects hundreds of properties along the Hawkesbury River.
This damage has led to unstable riverbanks close to homes and rural buildings, putting them at risk of further damage and making them vulnerable to future flood events.
In the aftermath of the floods, the State Government undertook substantial studies of the damage to the riverbanks to assist in the creation of a streamlined design and approval process for landowners to undertake necessary repairs on their properties.
However, the system has yet to be put into place over five months after the floods.
The existing process could see landowners tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket to obtain the necessary approvals.
The NSW Government has also budgeted $18 million to employ case managers across affected NSW LGAs to help speed up the application process and assist in the recovery and restoration, but this has also not yet taken place.
Cr Conolly said the delays were unfair on residents and were putting properties, livelihoods and lives at risk.
"A lot of promises were made by state authorities during and immediately after the March 2021 floods, but five months on and it seems like we are no longer a high priority," he said.
"Until this streamlined approval process is put in place, all of the normal requirements for the application and assessment of development applications for riverbank repairs still apply.
"In some cases this will require land owners spending tens of thousands of dollars on reports, and waiting for a full assessment by Councils."
Cr Conolly said council felt that this was "fundamentally unfair" and not what they were led to believe would eventuate.
"Residents along the river have already suffered enough and shouldn't be left in limbo facing further financial hardship while the State Government dithers," he said. "Delays and the associated costs have resulted in unapproved works being carried out by landowners at various locations, putting the health of the river at risk.
"There are also concerns that the works are not being carried out according to best-practice design principles and may be at risk from failure - occasioning further property damage.
"Council is calling on the State Government to hurry up and deliver what has been promised to these long-suffering residents, and I will be seeking a meeting with NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro to draw attention to the matter."
For Flood Information - Hawkesbury 2021 and Recovery Support information go to Council's website hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au (click on the yellow flood information banner) or Council's community engagement page, Your Hawkesbury Your Say yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/fih2021.