00:02Jilly Witham is celebrating this week. After three years of dealing with the New South Wales
00:08Reconstruction Authority, she's finally signed off on getting her home raised above flood level.
00:14They're going up three metres from the ground, which is high enough for me.
00:18But the process has almost broken her.
00:23My mental toll? I can't even begin to describe it. I've nearly gone mad.
00:30This week's report from the Auditor-General has highlighted ineffective planning, delays and a failure to deliver a single flood
00:38-free housing lot.
00:39That's despite a cost to taxpayers of $980 million.
00:44From a community point of view, they failed in so many regards.
00:47It is evidence of a program that has not succeeded in terms of our recovery and what was promised.
00:55The Auditor-General has recommended the Reconstruction Authority speed up the delivery of flood-free land
01:02and implement plans for lots left vacant by its buyback scheme.
01:07I take full responsibility for the outcomes of the audit report and its findings and recommendations
01:13and my job now as the CEO is to ensure we deliver.
01:16Despite the failings, the State Government says hundreds have still been helped.
01:21Those people, they're safe. They're safer.
01:25And for others, some people have already bought other houses.
01:29Recovery's slow. It's long. It's got a long tail. We know that.
01:34A full cost-benefit analysis is due in March 2028.
01:41many years of last five months.
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