Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Planning powers, preparedness and adaptation

44

- the 'Get Ready NSW Survey', which is designed to provide specific insights

into household preparedness across LGAs.271

4.33 Some stakeholders also highlighted the Recovery Services Capacity Grant as an

opportunity to strengthen connections between social services and the Authority

in terms of preparedness.

272 Further work is needed to integrate these findings

and initiatives into the local context to ensure that communities are aware of,

and understand how to prepare for, disasters. This is particularly important for

more vulnerable members of the community, as outlined in Chapter Three.

4.34 The Committee also notes the potential for greater investment in person-centred

emergency preparedness approaches, such as the Person-Centred Emergency

Preparedness (P-CEP) framework.

273 The Authority should consider how such

frameworks can be integrated into its broader preparedness programs and

delivered at scale through trusted local organisations.

Preparedness can be strengthened with greater use of insurance information

4.35 The Committee heard that many households in the Mid-North Coast and Hunter

regions cannot afford insurance, leaving many properties underinsured or

uninsured, therefore vulnerable after a disaster.274 As insurance becomes

increasingly unaffordable in those high-risk areas, more households become

dependent on government aid to recover. Without investment in adaptation and

social support, recovery may reinforce existing vulnerabilities rather than

addressing them.

275

4.36 The work of the insurance sector provides valuable insights into disaster impacts,

community vulnerabilities and risk patterns that can inform recovery

prioritisation and resilience investment. The Insurance Council of Australia noted

opportunities to strengthen data-sharing arrangements between the Authority,

insurers and local councils to improve preparedness and adaptation work.

276

4.37 The Committee is of the view that decision-making on preparedness can be

supported and strengthened with greater use of information from the insurance

sector. In preparing for future disasters, the Authority should engage with the

Insurance Council of Australia to share insights from insurer claims data and risk

modelling, alongside consultation with communities and local councils, to ensure

that preparedness and adaptation investment is targeted where it is most

needed.

271 Submission 50, p 12; NSW Reconstruction Authority, Answers to supplementary questions, 30 March 2026, pp 5,

12-13.

272 Joy Kyriacou, St Vincent de Paul Society, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2026, p 7; St Vincent de Paul

Society, Answers to supplementary questions, 19 December 2025, p 3; Clare Van Doorn, Regional Director,

Operations North East, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, p 2; Jacob Walsh,

NSW State Director, Australian Red Cross, Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, p 3.

273 Submission 7, Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, p 7; Cara Varian, CEO, NSW Council of Social Service

(NCOSS), Transcript of evidence, 3 November 2025, pp 14-15; Carers NSW, Answers to questions on notice, 23

November 2025, p 1.

274 Submission 31, Financial Counselling Australia, p 1.

275 Submission 14, Uniting NSW.ACT, p 5.

276 Submission 48, p 5.