Hoping for better

There are no words to describe the devastation that the residents of Lismore and surrounding Northern Rivers areas have endured (Rick Morton, “Deadly repetition”, April 2-8). Most demoralising, however, is the sense of despair within these communities as summarised by Lismore City Council mayor Steve Krieg who said “no doubt there’ll be another inquiry leading to another inquiry and that will lead to no answers”. Clearly these despondent communities would be bolstered by rapid action on climate, optimal funding and resource support for the Bureau of Meteorology, and a formal royal commission that, unlike the bushfire royal commission, results in implementation of recommended actions. We can but live in hope.

– Amy Hiller, Kew, Vic