Fights broke out as top-down approach to Lismore flood response failed, inquiry told

Locals who were trying to help rescue residents and feed evacuees clashed with NSW agencies, community witnesses say

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Lismore residents have told of fights breaking out between members of the public trying to help and officials attempting to implement a failed top-down" approach during the height of the flood emergency.

Several community witnesses at a parliamentary inquiry into catastrophic flooding in the town told MPs on Tuesday they were completely disillusioned with Resilience NSW, the new agency established in 2020 to lead disaster and emergency efforts from prevention to recovery.