Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Engineering Support FAQs
1. Is this initiative helping residents in the whole of the Northern Rivers?
The initial focus will be Byron and Tweed Shires. If EWB resources permit, we may be able to expand out into other shires to assist residents.
2. Is this initiative able to help everyone in the Northern Rivers who is needing an engineering assessment?
As much as we would love to say yes, this initiative is currently completely volunteer run and therefore currently has limits to how much time and therefore how many residents we will be able to help. We are seeking funding and if this eventuates this may increase the capacity of this project, if it doesn’t, we are committed to providing as much support as possible until our volunteer capacity is exhausted. It is a little hard to say exactly when this will be because not only are we currently relying on the generous volunteer efforts of our whole working and planning group team, along with hard costs being contributed from HHUG and EWB, all the engineers are volunteers too. We hope to be able to support for at least 6 months unfunded and at least a year funded.
3. I have insurance but it’s taking too long to get the engineering assessment I am needing, can you help?
Unfortunately no. This initiative is here to help those who are currently low income earners and have no other options through government grants or otherwise for engineering support.
4. Will I definitely get help from this initiative if I fill in the Community Engineering support form?
We will be endeavouring to help as many people as possible, though as mentioned in question 2 if we do not get funding for this project there will be limits to our capacity. If you meet our eligibility criteria (see question 9) then the sooner you submit the form the higher the chance we may be able to help.
5. Where can I find the Community Engineering support form?
On the Engineering Support page on the HHUG website here.
6. Do I need to be the land owner of the property to fill in the Community Engineering support form?
Yes
7. How long do I have to wait to be assessed and to receive an engineering Options Report after I fill in the form?
We cannot be completely definitive about timeframes as each project is different with regards to how involved and time consuming it will be and availability of suitable volunteer engineers. However if your application meets our eligibility criteria (see question 9) and priority ranking (see question 17), then your issue will be assessed by the latest early May and you will receive your Options Report by the latest end of June.
8. What is the process involved in receiving engineering support?
Please see our ‘Key Steps In The Process’ diagram here.
9. If my application for engineering support is successful, what are the expected timeframes for receiving this support?
The nominated timeframes are shown on our our ‘Key Steps In The Process’ diagram here.. They represent the likely minimum and maximums timeframes between each step in the process. Factors that influence these include:
the quality of information provided by the applicant
the complexity and scale of the applicants issue(s)
the availability of skilled engineers and resources to undertake the work.
EWB and HHUG are working closely together to coordinate these issues and will keep you informed as efficiently as possible as your application proceeds. At the scoping visit and detailed site assessment steps in particular (see diagram ‘Key Steps In The Process’ diagram here), timeframes will be reviewed and updated and communicated with each applicant.
10. What is the eligibility criteria that my request for engineering support will be assessed against?
You must be a low income earner, the land owner of the property, you don’t have insurance and your issue must not be subject to an action of decision by an authority (e.g Local or State Government)
11. I can provide accommodation when the engineers are here, do you have a form or something that you would like me to fill in regarding this?Wonderful, thank you so much! And yes please fill in our BILLETING HOST EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM and HHUGs billeting coordinator will be in touch.
12. If I offer to billet an engineer will this mean that my request for engineering support will be favoured?
Unfortunately no. All requests will be subject to our eligibility criteria (see question 9) and our priority ranking (see question 17). If you meet our eligibility criteria the best chance you have of receiving engineering support through this initiative is if you fill in and submit the Community Engineering support form as soon as possible.
13. I can’t offer billeting but is there any other ways I can support the engineers when they are here?
What a lovely question. We have had someone offer to make and deliver meals which is one idea. You could also support with transport to and from the airport or general transport while they are here. We are open to hearing or discussing other ways you might be able to help if you wish to shoot us an email at hello@hhug.org.au
14. I need support with removing rubbish from my land, can you help?
We cannot help with this through this initiative as it is specifically focused on engineering support. We really hope you find the support you need. If you haven’t already tried this we suggest you get in touch with the Recovery Officer at Council to see if they can help or otherwise putting you request for support on the local flood disaster facebook support groups, a couple you could try are Community-led Flood Crisis Operations GROUP, Byron Shire Urgent Flood Assistance, Koori Mail, Resilient Lismore (Lismore Helping Hands) - Community Resilience & Recovery
15. I have clothes and bedding and other useful things that I want to donate to flood affected people, can I give them to you?
We cannot help with this through this initiative as it is specifically focused on engineering support. We suggest you put this message on the various community flood disaster facebook groups.
16. What is a Scope Management Plan?
The Scope Management Plan is an internal document prepared by EWB following the preliminary site inspection and details how the project scope will be defined, developed, and verified. It clearly defines what will be included in the project, who is responsible for managing the project's scope and acts as a guide for managing and controlling the scope.
17. What is an Options Report?
An Options Report is prepared by EWB following a detailed inspection of the project site and helps the landowner consider their options from a range of possibilities. In some cases the landowner may need to engage an engineering consultant to undertake a detailed design. The Options Report provides valuable input to brief the consultants.
18. What is the ‘Priority Ranking’ which is referred to on the Roadmap
All applications are subject to an Action Priority Matrix that is based on urgency, importance, impact and effort. Projects are prioritised based on how critical is the project, how long it will take to do the project, how time consuming a project will be and the availability of resources needed to do the project.
If you have a question that has not been answered here, please email us at hello@hhug.org.au