Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Communication and community engagement

28

Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Recommendation 10

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority continue to consult and actively engage

with disaster-impacted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and

Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations. This should include formally

collaborating to co-design and deliver services, including Recovery Assistance

Points, and outreach programs targeted to the needs of these communities.

3.59 The Committee was pleased to hear that the Authority has taken meaningful

steps to improve engagement and outreach with Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander communities following the May 2025 East Coast severe weather

event.

176 The Committee recommends that this work continues for future

disaster events, ensuring meaningful collaboration with local communities.

3.60 As outlined in Chapter Two, the Authority established eight dedicated Aboriginal-

specific Recovery Assistance Points (RAPs) that were co-designed with local

Aboriginal Elders and communities to provide a more informal and accessible

environment for local Aboriginal people in need of recovery assistance. These

hubs were established following early recognition that some Aboriginal

community members were hesitant to visit and engage with established

Recovery Centres (RCs).

177 Aboriginal Liaison Officers and Aboriginal staff played

a central role in facilitating respectful communication and building trust with

community members.

178

3.61 Many stakeholders provided positive feedback that these hubs were well

received and worked effectively to address the specific needs of local Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander communities, which improved access to services in a

way that previous recovery efforts had not achieved.

179 For example, Uniting

NSW.ACT identified cultural safety gaps at previous RAPs that were established

following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which included insufficient numbers of staff

who identify as Aboriginal which 'limited cultural safety and trust'.180

3.62 Legal Aid NSW commended the Authority's approach to consultation and

engagement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community during the

May 2025 East Coast severe weather event. In addition to the establishment of

targeted RAPs, they noted that the Authority partnered with NSW Aboriginal

Land Council and Aboriginal Affairs NSW to hold regular online 'Community Check

176 Clare Van Doorne, Regional Director, Operations North East, St Vincent de Paul Society, Transcript of evidence, 3

November 2025, pp 2-3; Cassandra Gibbens, Executive Director, Customer Care & Business Bureau, Service NSW,

Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 24; Greg Wells, Managing Director, Service NSW, Transcript of evidence,

20 February 2026, p 26.

177 Service NSW, Answers to supplementary questions, 25 March 2026, pp 2-3, 4.

178 Submission 50, p 10.

179 Clare Van Doorne, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, pp 2-3; Elizabeth Lehmann, Senior Outreach

Solicitor, Disaster Response Legal Service, Legal Aid NSW, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, p 18; Cassandra

Gibbens, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 24.

180 Submission 14, p 2.