Former NSW SES Deputy Director-General Chas Keys has joined Luke Grant on Drive with a different perspective on flood mitigation. 

Mr Keys believes much of the blame for flood crises lays at the hands of development practices and people’s willingness to buy property on flood plains.

“People don’t understand they’re on a flood plain and therefore don’t understand the risk they’re at,” he said.

“In NSW we have half a million dwellings on flood plains.”

Mr Keys also suggested land buy-backs are an option but are subject to political will.

“How much money are we prepared to spend to buy this problem out?” he asked.

“At the moment we just spend over and over again on recovery.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Getty