Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Grants and funding arrangements

47

Issues with grant criteria

5.4 The Committee heard that grant criteria need to be simplified.282 Grant

applications are a source of stress, frustration and uncertainty for communities

already coping with the effects of disasters.283 Current grant criteria were

described as being too complex and application processes too onerous for

disaster impacted residents.

284

5.5 In particular, Legal Aid NSW recommended that the Disaster Relief Grant

guidelines be reviewed to simplify eligibility criteria, reduce evidentiary

requirements, and reflect a trauma-informed approach.

285 For example,

applicants must provide a list of all their lost possessions, even in cases of total

loss, which can be impractical and further the applicant's distress.

286

5.6 Financial Counselling Australia highlighted grant criteria that requires applicants

to have no assets that could support them post-disaster, and argued that this will

create further hardship if used for the basis for grant ineligibility. If applicants

need to deplete their savings, sell assets, or use up superannuation before

qualifying for financial support, this will leave them with no financial buffer or

means to rebuild once the immediate impacts of the flood have passed.

287

5.7 Inconsistent eligibility criteria was also highlighted by stakeholders. Mid North

Coast Legal Centre said that this inconsistency caused confusion throughout the

recovery period and that many clients they spoke to had concerns about the

grants process. 288 NCOSS also told the Committee that complex grant

requirements ‘significantly increase the workload of community members and

social service organisations who provide support to disaster-impacted

residents’.

289

5.8 City of Newcastle highlighted community concerns and frustration regarding

grant eligibility for those impacted by the New Lambton landslip.290 Ms Melissa

Gore, Local Recovery Coordinator, City of Newcastle, said that the Authority

communicated with the Council about specific grants that residents of New

Lambton should apply for. However, residents were ultimately not eligible for

these specific grants as they had insurance or income that disqualified them as

part of means testing.

291 The Authority noted that they did administer hardship

allowance and rental grants to New Lambton residents in person.292

282 Submission 31, p 2; Submission 37, p 5.

283 Submission 18, p 4, Submission 9, p 1; Submission 16, p 2; Submission 37, p 4.

284 Submission 49, p 15; Submission 16, p 2; Submission 14, Uniting NSW.ACT, p 3.

285 Submission 49, pp 14-15.

286 Submission 49, p 14.

287 Submission 31, pp 1-2.

288 Submission 32, p 2.

289 Submission 37, p 4.

290 Melissa Gore, Local Recovery Coordinator, City of Newcastle, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 3;

Jeremy Bath, Chief Executive Officer, City of Newcastle, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 7.

291 Melissa Gore, Transcript of evidence, 20 February 2026, p 3.

292 Susie George, Executive Director, Regional Delivery, NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transcript of evidence, 20

February 2026, p 28.