A PLAN to protect Wallsend's CBD from flooding should be put into action immediately, the Greens say.
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Greens NSW MP John Kaye and Wallsend Greens candidate Aleona Swegen announced the plans on Sunday to bring state funding through for the project.
Dr Kaye said the council had a plan supported by experts and Wallsend residents ready to go, and the government should put "at least $25 million" towards building refuges, early warning systems and a response plan.
"It's now time to start work before another deluge threatens life and damages buildings," Dr Kaye said.
"If the Baird government stopped its scandalous squandering of hundreds of millions of dollars cutting Newcastle's rail line, it could easily cover the entire cost of the plan, with plenty left over to spend on other areas of genuine need."
The Wallsend Centre Floodplain Risk Management Plan was approved in 2009 but awaits implementation.
Ms Swegen said flooding through the CBD during the 2007 Pasha Bulker storm had done irreparable damage.
"Households and businesses were affected for years after [that] event and some shop-owners never returned," she said.
"Refuges and a plan ready to roll out in the event of an imminent flood could save hundreds of lives."
