Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Communication and community engagement

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Chapter Three – Communication and

community engagement

Summary

The Committee heard generally positive feedback about the recovery hubs set up by the

Authority in response to the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event. Closer collaboration

with communities and formalised partnerships with local organisations will help ensure that

the Authority can better meet the needs of disaster-affected communities in the future.

Communication and engagement with community during recovery

3.1 This section begins by discussing stakeholder feedback on how the Authority

engaged with community through Recovery Centres and Recovery Assistance

Points. Partnerships between the Authority and local community organisations

are also examined, including the importance of community engagement and the

management of spontaneous volunteers during recovery.

Recovery Centres and Recovery Assistance Points were generally well received

Recommendation 5

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority consult with local communities to

ensure that Recovery Centres and Recovery Assistance Points set up in the

immediate aftermath of disasters are trauma-informed, culturally appropriate,

and accessible to meet the diverse needs of disaster-affected communities.

3.2 Stakeholders noted that Recovery Centres (RCs) and Recovery Assistance Points

(RAPs) – referred to collectively as 'recovery hubs' – were generally well managed

by the Authority following the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event.

95

3.3 Mr Adrian Panuccio, General Manager, MidCoast Council described the

establishment of the RC in Taree as 'brilliant'.

96 Mr Jacob Walsh, NSW State

Director, Australian Red Cross, described the Kempsey RC as 'a strong example of

effective local leadership and agencies working together with clear purpose and

coordination'.

97

3.4 The Committee heard that the Authority has used a similar model for recovery

hubs as part of its response to other disasters considered as part of the inquiry,

95 Submission 26, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, p 3; Submission 10, Kempsey Shire Council, p 1; Adrian Panuccio,

General Manager, MidCoast Council, Transcript of evidence, 17 February 2026, p 4; Chris Favaloro, Group Manager,

Project Delivery, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Transcript of evidence, 17 February 2026, p 5; Submission 45,

MidCoast Council, p 1; Submission 33, Hunter Joint Organisation, p 6; Submission 49, Legal Aid NSW, p 13; Jacob

Walsh, NSW State Director, Australian Red Cross, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, p 3; Submission 24, Mid

North Coast Joint Organisation, pp 2, 4.

96 Adrian Panuccio, Transcript of evidence, 17 February 2026, p 4.

97 Jacob Walsh, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, p 3.