Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Communication and community engagement

33

broaden the implementation [of Tell Your Story Once] across government and

across agencies.'208

3.82 The Committee recommends that the NSW Government should expand the 'Tell

Your Story Once' initiative to include all government agencies involved in disaster

recovery. This whole-of-government approach to disaster recovery would reduce

duplication of information collection, minimise trauma, and ensure that a

person’s circumstances, once disclosed, follow them through the full continuum

of recovery support.

Further mental health considerations during recovery

3.83 The Committee was also told that, in addition to the residents directly affected by

the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event, emergency responders,

volunteers and service providers also experienced emotional fatigue and

burnout.

209 The high volume of work, exposure to traumatic events and lack of

recognition can all contribute to adverse mental health outcomes. 210 The NSW

Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network submitted that there is an urgent need to

fast-track psychosocial risk mitigation strategies for community partner

volunteers and Authority staff.

211

3.84 The Committee heard that the Authority has made improvements to psychosocial

supports following the May 2025 East Coast severe weather event.

3.85 The Authority mentioned improvements such as incorporating professional

mental health clinicians at Recovery Centres, making efforts to ensure privacy

within Recovery Centre settings, and establishing processes for the wellbeing and

psychological support of Authority staff involved in disaster recovery. These

supports include:

- training

- debriefing, and

- access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services for staff.212

3.86 However, there remain gaps in the formal integration and communication of

psychosocial services within disaster recovery operations.

3.87 The Committee heard from Lifeline Mid Coast about a specific instance in which

its crisis workers were not welcomed when they introduced themselves to

recovery centre personnel from the Authority during the May 2025 Severe

weather event, despite providing essential emotional triage to distressed

residents.

213 The Authority later advised that this decision was due to venue

capacity constraints to ensure privacy, and that the Authority had already

208 Greg Wells, Transcript of evidence, February 2026, p 22.

209 Submission 21, p 3.

210 Submission 22, p 6.

211 Submission 22, p 2.

212 Mrs Susie George, Transcript of Evidence, 20 February 2026, p 38.

213 Submission 13, p 1; Catherine Vaara, Transcript of evidence, 17 February 2026, p 20.