The NSW government established an independent flood inquiry to examine and report on the causes of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from the 2022 catastrophic flood event.

Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Michael Fuller APM were engaged to lead the inquiry.

The inquiry was tasked with examining and reporting on:

• causes of and factors contributing to the frequency, intensity, timing and location of floods
• preparation and planning by agencies and the community for floods in NSW
• responses to floods, particularly measures to protect life, property and the environment
• the transition from incident response to recovery
• recovery, including housing, clean-up, financial support, community engagement and longer-term community rebuilding.

The inquiry was asked to consider and, if warranted, make recommendations on matters, including:

• the safety of emergency services and community first responders
• current and future land use planning and management and building standards in flood prone locations across NSW
• appropriate action to adapt to future flood risks to communities and their surrounds
• coordination and collaboration between all levels of government.