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

14

agencies and community stakeholders during the transition from response to

recovery.

2.32 As noted in Chapter One, the Authority works closely with combat agencies

during the transition from response to recovery operations. However, the

Committee heard throughout the inquiry that more work is needed to ensure

that roles and expectations are clear and consistent for government agencies and

community stakeholders during this transition.

81

2.33 The Authority has made several improvements, such as embedding its personnel

within Incident Management Teams and at Emergency Operations Centres to

improve early identification of recovery needs during the response phase.

82

However, several challenges were identified in the transition from response to

the early recovery phase of the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event.83 This

included a lack of clarity for supporting agencies and issues with the coordination

of clean-up activities between the SES and the Authority.84

2.34 The Committee notes that the NSW Recovery Plan sets out clear roles and

responsibilities for the transition from response to recovery.85 Further work is

being done between the Authority, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and SES to

create a more structured approach to this transition.

86 Proactive communication

of this information during the transition period would provide greater certainty

for all stakeholders and a more consistent approach across future disaster

events.

87

2.35 Noting that the Authority is doing further work to improve this transition, the

Committee will continue to monitor this issue in future operational reviews.

After-Action Review

Recommendation 3

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority publish the report on the After-Action

Review of the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event within one month of

the tabling of the Committee's report.

Recommendation 4

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority implement a mechanism to revisit,

track and measure insights arising from past After-Action Reviews to

demonstrate improvements implemented over time, and that information from

this process be published in the NSW Reconstruction Authority's annual report.

81 Submission 22, NSW Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, p 1; Chris Favaloro, Group Manager, Project Delivery,

Kempsey Shire Council, Transcript of evidence, 17 February 2026, p 5.

82 Submission 50, p 5; Feargus O'Connor, Executive Director, Disaster Welfare and Business Continuity, Homes NSW,

Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 25.

83 Submission 50, p 6.

84 Submission 50, p 7.

85 NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW Recovery Plan, p 28.

86 Submission 50, p 6.

87 Submission 26, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, p 4.