Manning Flood Review Report Page 20

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Operations and coordination of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

and inform the roles and requirements of relevant service providers.40 This also

involved the Authority coordinating with government agencies on a 'coordinated,

multi-channel' communications approach to recovery messaging, in order to

ensure that affected communities were informed and supported.41

2.4 The Authority established Recovery Centres (RCs) at several impacted locations,

including Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Macksville and Maitland.

42 These RCs

included representation from essential government services, and charitable and

other community organisations to enable community members to access in-

person recovery support.

43 These services included assistance with grants,

replacing identification and personal documents, legal assistance, insurance

support and guidance, and mental health support.

2.5 The Authority also established Recovery Assistance Points (RAPs) which were co-

designed and delivered locally to provide tailored and culturally sensitive support

to affected First Nations communities.

45 This included eight targeted RAPs at

Tilligerry, Dunghutti, Purfleet, Kinchela Boys Mob Hub, Biripi Aboriginal

community, Bowraville Aboriginal community, Biripi Bushland Clinic, and Kinchela

Boys Home.

2.6 Service NSW operated a Mobile Service Centre to provide disaster recovery

information and outreach support throughout the impacted region. This included

providing services to the Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Mid Coast,

Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens and Upper Hunter local

government areas (LGAs).

2.7 On 29 May 2025, the NSW Government announced the appointment of former

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens as the Recovery Coordinator for

the Hunter and Mid-North Coast.

2.8 The Recovery Coordinator established regular communication to support

recovery efforts, including a Regional Recovery Committee and relevant sub-

committees for the Hunter and Mid-Coast. This included engaging with

representatives from local councils, government agencies, business groups and

40 Ashlee Abbott, Executive Director, Recovery, NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transcript of evidence, 20 February

2026, p 29.

41 NSW Reconstruction Authority, Answers to supplementary questions, 30 March 2026, p 7; Service NSW, Answers

to supplementary questions, 25 March 2026, p 2.

42 Minister for Recovery, Recovery Centres opening from tomorrow as flood response continues, media release, 26

May 2026, accessed 2 April 2026.

43 Submission 49, Legal Aid NSW, p 7.

44 Minister for Recovery, Recovery Centres opening from tomorrow as flood response continues, media release, 26

May 2025, accessed 20 April 2026.

45 Submission 50, NSW Government, pp 9-10; Clare Van Doorn, Regional Director, Operations North East, St Vincent

de Paul Society, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2026, p 9; Joy Kyriacou, Director of Programs, Members and

Volunteers, St Vincent de Paul Society, Transcript of evidence, p 10.

46 Service NSW, Answers to supplementary questions, 25 March 2026, p 2.

47 Service NSW, Answers to supplementary questions, 25 March 2026, p 2.

48 Submission 50, pp 5-6; NSW Reconstruction Authority, 'Recovery Coordinator announced', Flood Recovery

Updates, 29 May 2025, accessed 3 April 2026.