Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

NSW Reconstruction Authority and the 2025 East Coast severe weather event

4

1.15 Heavy rain in the Newcastle area also caused a landslip in the suburb of New

Lambton, which impacted 16 homes and displaced 44 people (discussed further

in Chapter Two).

21

1.16 On 21 May 2025, the NSW Governments declared the severe weather event a

natural disaster and it was assigned the Australian Government Reference

Number (AGRN) 1212.

22 This declaration meant that impacted communities could

access special assistance measures to aid them in recovery.23

What is a Natural Disaster Declaration and Australian Government Reference

Number (AGRN)?

When severe disasters occur, the NSW Government may make a Natural

Disaster Declaration across a list of impacted Local Government Areas (LGAs).

A Natural Disaster Declaration activates support measures under the joint

Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for individuals,

community groups or businesses covered by the declaration. These assistance

measures can include things like one-off payments, grants, or concessional

loans.24

Natural Disaster Declarations are also assigned an AGRN. An AGRN is an

identifier for each natural disaster in Australia.25 In NSW, the Authority

manages the list of declared disasters, which includes the list of impacted LGAs

and the assistance available.26 The list of impacted LGAs may be updated as

the disaster continues to unfold.27

Other relevant disasters

1.17 To understand how the Authority's operations have changed or improved, the

Committee also heard evidence related to other recent disasters in line with the

inquiry's terms of reference. The Authority's response to these disasters is

discussed in more detail throughout the report.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred

1.18 Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was a long-lived weather event that took place in

March 2025 that brought severe storms to South East Queensland and the North

Coast of NSW.

28 The strength of the cyclone varied as it built and moved over the

21 Submission 36, City of Newcastle, pp 1-2.

22 Minister for Recovery, Disaster support for sixteen Hunter and Mid North Coast LGAs following severe flooding,

media release, 21 May 2025, accessed 23 March 2026; NSW Reconstruction Authority, Natural disaster declarations

from financial year 2025-26, accessed 23 March 2026.

23 NSW Reconstruction Authority, Natural disaster declarations, accessed 23 March 2026.

24 NSW Reconstruction Authority, Natural disaster declarations, accessed 23 March 2026; National Emergency

Management Agency, Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, accessed 23 March 2026.

25 Australian National Audit Office, Administration of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, report no 23 of

2022-23, 18 May 2023, p 29, para 2.15.

26 NSW Reconstruction Authority, Natural disaster declarations, accessed 23 March 2026.

27 Minister for Recovery, Disaster support for sixteen Hunter and Mid North Coast LGAs following severe flooding,

accessed 23 March 2026; NSW Reconstruction Authority, Natural disaster declarations from financial year 2025-26,

accessed 23 March 2026.

28 Bureau of Meteorology, Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred (22U), accessed 23 March 2026.