Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Communication and community engagement

29

In' meetings to 'better understand current and available needs and supports in

local Aboriginal communities'.181

3.63 However, Mid North Coast Joint Organisation expressed concern that the

Authority's engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

was 'minimal'.

182 LGNSW reflected that some councils reported the Authority's

engagement with Aboriginal communities as 'limited, inconsistent, or overly

centralised'.

183

3.64 Service NSW identified opportunities for further improving engaging with

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities during future disasters,

including 'preparing for dedicated Aboriginal support to roll out at the same time

as general community support, using Aboriginal staff where possible.'

184 The

Committee also heard that Authority is taking additional steps to improve

targeted recovery efforts at the strategic level, including incorporating culturally

sensitive initiatives as part of their State Disaster Mitigation Plan.

185

3.65 The Committee was pleased to hear about the improvements the Authority has

made to better engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

However, the Committee is of the view that this engagement should be

formalised and sustained beyond individual disasters. This approach would better

embed existing knowledge and relationships between and within the Authority

and local communities.

3.66 The Committee also acknowledges that the capacity of local organisations,

including Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, to deliver outreach

programs and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

communities depends on reliable and sustained resourcing and funding. These

issues are further explored in Chapter Five.

3.67 The Committee recommends that the Authority continue to collaborate with

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations as active partners in the co-

design and delivery of services to ensure recovery efforts are embedded and

tailored to local community needs. The Authority should evaluate its

implementation strategy for its consultation work, in order to better understand

the different recovery and engagement needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander communities across NSW.

Engagement with vulnerable individuals and residents living in isolated

or remote locations

3.68 The Committee heard that natural disasters can deepen existing disadvantage for

socially vulnerable groups in the community, as well as 'greatly expand the

number of people experiencing disadvantage, many for the first time'.186 It is

181 Submission 49, p 21.

182 Submission 24, p 5.

183 Local Government NSW, Answers to supplementary questions, 25 March 2026, p 2.

184 Service NSW, Answers to supplementary questions, p 3.

185 Susie George, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 30.

186 Clare Van Doorn, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, p 2.