Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Operations and coordination of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

7

Chapter Two – Operations and coordination of

the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Summary

This chapter outlines the NSW Reconstruction Authority's operational response to the May

2025 East Coast severe weather event. It also notes operational improvements made by the

Authority, as well as opportunities to improve strategic coordination and operations in

response to future disasters.

Operational response to May 2025 East Coast severe weather event

2.1 During the inquiry, the Committee heard from the Authority, government

agencies, local councils, community organisations and affected community

members about the operational response to the May 2025 East Coast severe

weather event.

2.2 This section provides an overview of the key aspects of the Authority's response

to the disaster event. Further stakeholder feedback about these matters, such as

the communication and implementation of Recovery Centres and grant

programs, is discussed throughout this report.

What is the NSW Recovery Plan?

The NSW Recovery Plan is prepared and maintained by the NSW

Reconstruction Authority and broadly classifies recovery operations based on

severity. It is a supporting plan to the NSW State Emergency and Rescue

Management Plan (EMPLAN).38

Under the NSW Recovery Plan:

- for low severity events, the affected local council leads the recovery,

supported by the Authority

- for more severe events, the Authority will activate recovery

coordination arrangements and lead the recovery operation while

recognising local councils play a key role in leading, managing and

supporting their community’s local recovery

- during more complex medium or high severity events, the Authority

will scale up coordination arrangements at the local and regional levels

to reflect the size, scale and complexity of the recovery operation.39

2.3 Following the declaration of the natural disaster, the Authority developed a

service delivery plan to identify the recovery needs for impacted communities

38 NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Recovery Plan, p ii.

39 NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Recovery Plan, p 30; NSW Reconstruction Authority, Answers to

supplementary questions, 30 March 2026, p 1.