Reimagining flood plain development with geography at heart

ABSTRACT Claims that the catastrophic flooding events of 2022 which devastated the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales were unprecedented are demonstrated here to be ill-informed. Additionally, flood mitigation efforts will not be able to protect Lismore and surrounding communities from the ravages of future floods. It is essential that geographical realities be at the heart of planning decisions to protect flood prone communities in future. The inescapable fact is that catastrophic floods will recur in the region. The lesson for this region, and for others throughout Australia which are subject to severe flooding, is that planned withdrawal of critical services, commercial premises and vulnerable housing from the flood plain is the only sure way to protect people, their homes and livelihoods from repeated devastation. Geography matters indeed.