Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Communication and community engagement

20

at some recovery hubs, and in other instances were set up in an offsite 'insurance

hub'. 117 This made it difficult for Legal Aid staff to directly engage with insurers to

support clients with insurance disputes.118

3.17 The Committee recommends that the Authority should consult with local

communities, including as part of developing the service delivery plan, to ensure

that recovery hubs meet the diverse needs of disaster-affected communities.

Further work should also be done to explore formal partnerships with local

organisations to ensure these roles at recovery hubs are clearly communicated to

the community, as explored later in this chapter.

Mixed feedback was received about community forums and collaboration

Finding 3

Strong community networks, including local community groups and

organisations, were essential to supporting local residents during recovery from

the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event.

3.18 It is important to communities that Authority staff are visible 'on-the-ground'

following natural disasters.119 Face-to-face engagement strengthens

accountability and leads to more effective communication with communities.120

3.19 Some stakeholders said that the Authority is improving its communication and

visible presence throughout the recovery process.

121 Cabonne Council praised the

Authority's on-ground communication and openness during recovery from the

2022 floods in the Central West.122 However, the Committee also heard criticism

about the Authority's limited engagement with the communities in the Far West

following the electricity outages in October 2024.

123

3.20 The Authority said that it prioritised transparent communication and decision-

making with local organisations during its response to the May 2025 East Coast

severe weather event. This included partnering with grassroots organisations to

deliver services in familiar and trusted settings, like sporting events or outreach

through existing community networks.

124

3.21 The Committee received mixed feedback about the Authority's communication

and engagement with local community members following the disaster.

3.22 Several stakeholders reported positive feedback about communication from the

Authority, including through Disaster Recovery Briefings, town halls and

117 Submission 49, p 15.

118 Submission 49, p 15.

119 Submission 39, Central NSW Joint Organisation, p 3; Submission 18, Cabonne Council, p 5; Darcy Byrne,

President, Local Government NSW, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 15.

120 Darcy Byrne, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 15.

121 Submission 39, p 3; Submission 18, pp 3-4.

122 Submission 18, pp 3-4.

123 Graeme McCrabb, RFS Member, Menindee Headquarters Brigade, NSW RFS, Transcript of evidence, 3 November

2025, p 35.

124 Submission 50, p 9.