'Gaps' in flood response but recovery 'well underway', Premier insists
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has defended the work of Resilience NSW in the face of the recent flood crisis, but flagged potential changes to how the government would respond to future disasters.
Asked directly if he was "100 per cent behind" the $1.4 billion-budgeted body, Mr Perrottet told Today he backed "all our government agencies".
"There is no doubt from the of the event, to the time government agencies have been able to access various communities, I think there were many gaps there," he said.
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A massive clean-up is underway in northern NSW. Janie Barrett
"And there should have been better coordination."
He said there would a review to establish an "honest assessment" of how the government response could have been improved.
"Whenever you have a natural disaster, or any major event, it would be remiss of any government to not look at what went well, what could have been better, and make those improvements," Mr Perrottet said.
The Premier is currently in the Northern Rivers region, where the clean-up and massive recovery effort is ongoing following devastating floods.
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NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has conceded there were "gaps" in the government's flood response. Nine
He said the flood recovery in the state's north is "well underway", but cautioned there were still months of work ahead.
"We are having a truck a minute come in and offload debris," he said.
"We have around 4000 tonnes, every day, of debris being collected. It is a massive operation."
He said priorities included getting people out of evacuation centres and into their own homes, as well as providing financial assistance.
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Mr Perrottet said the state government's $500 million support program would provide 16 weeks accommodation for flood-affected residents.
"If we need to do more, we will," he said.
He said the government had purchased a number of homes, and was bringing up motor homes for some residents.
"It isn't a one-size-fits-all approach," he said.
Mr Perrottet said the government would also support people getting into housing across the border in Queensland.
About 1500 people are currently in temporary accommodation in northern NSW.
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