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

13

Central West region in 2022 was limited, which constrained progress on critical

recovery timeframes.76 The Committee notes that the Authority was established

in 2022 and has matured in its operations over this time.

2.29 It is also crucial that the formal leadership role of the Authority is clearly

communicated and understood by impacted communities to provide clarity and

certainty. This is particularly significant during recovery. Reflecting on the

recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Mr Sam Henderson, CEO, Northern

Rivers Community Resilience Alliance, told the Committee:

Once people start to feel uncertain or start to feel a little bit fearful ... if the

theoretical leadership is there, that's one thing, but not feeling that that's being

applied on the ground ... there's a difference between those two things. 77

2.30 During the inquiry, some stakeholders argued that the Authority's recovery

governance framework was not consistently applied across the full May 2025

East Coast severe weather event.

78 For example, the Committee heard that the

Authority's response to the New Lambton landslip created confusion, stress and

frustration for impacted community members and local council.

79 This led to

delays in supporting affected residents and undertaking relevant reconstruction

work.80

2.31 The Committee will continue to monitor the Authority's leadership role during

recovery as part of future operational reviews. The Authority's specific approach

to communication and engagement with impacted communities following the

May 2025 East Coast severe weather event is further discussed in Chapter Three.

Challenges continue to be experienced during transition from response to recovery

Finding 2

Throughout the events within the scope of this inquiry, challenges were

regularly encountered in the transition from response to recovery suggesting

more work is needed to ensure that roles and expectations are clear and

consistent for government agencies and community stakeholders during this

transition.

Recommendation 2

That the NSW Government, led by NSW Reconstruction Authority and including

all other relevant agencies and stakeholders, develop guiding principles to

ensure that roles and expectations are clear and consistent for government

76 Submission 18, Cabonne Council, p 4; Submission 39, p 3.

77 Sam Henderson, CEO, Northern Rivers Community Foundation, and Steering Committee Member, Northern

Rivers Community Resilience Alliance, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2026, p 28.

78 Robert Dudgeon, Executive Manager Assets & Facilities, City of Newcastle Council, Transcript of evidence, 20

February 2026, p 3.

79 Submission 1, Sylvian Lersch, p 1; Submission 4, Mr Warren and Mrs Sally Hedley, p 2; Submission 5, Ms Jing Ren,

p 1; Submission 33, Hunter Joint Organisation, p 8; Submission 36, City of Newcastle, p 6; Submission 42, Ashleigh

Avery, p 1.

80 Jeremy Bath, CEO, City of Newcastle, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 6; Robert Dudgeon, Transcript

of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 3; Submission 2, Dr Julan Jackel, p 1; Submission 28, Peta Winney-Baartz, p 2.