‘We can’t leave people behind’: frustration and hope mingle in the wake of Lismore’s post-flood renewal

Almost five years after Lismore was ravaged by a record-breaking flood, the city is split between those rebuilding and those still finding their way out. Alison Norris, a mother of three, now lives in a temporary home after her temporary refuge is due to be removed by mid-December. The two-bedroom house, built to withstand the flood, is a stark contrast to the makeshift dwelling she once shared with her family.

National interest in Lismore has long since receded, but the town's climate has shifted from a three-year La Niña period to an anticipated "Godzilla-level" El Niño. Many residents have found permanent homes, as the town's floodplain retreats and expands into safer areas, while others remain displaced.

Carlie Aitkinson, a Bundjalung and Yiman woman, describes Lismore as a city divided, with the rebuilding community hopeful for the future and others still grappling with the disaster's financial, emotional, and safety impacts. She emphasizes that "we can't leave those people behind."

The town sits in valleys prone to flooding, and settlers have long been warned to avoid building in those areas. However, cheaper land in flood zones has lured some residents, despite the risks. Since 1850, Lismore has flooded 155 times, with the 2022 flood being the most severe, displacing thousands and causing extensive damage.

In response to the disaster, the NSW government has committed over $1 billion to buyback programs, retrofits, and relocations. However, a recent audit found that these initiatives did not meet expectations. Recently, the state government announced the release of more land for flood-affected residents, and plans for new homes are underway.

Dan Etheridge, a climate resilience expert, notes that many residents were already struggling with a housing crisis before the floods, which have now exacerbated the issue. Lismore's MP and Minister for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, acknowledges that the town has become more resilient but wishes a more "managed retreat" from the floodplain had been implemented to better inform the community about the recovery timeline and their options.

Some residents, like Paul Paitson, who built his home to withstand future floods, have chosen to remain in their flood-prone properties. Others, like Norris, face the difficult decision of leaving their temporary homes and finding a new beginning elsewhere.