Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Findings and recommendations

vii

Recommendation 6 __________________________________________________________ 21

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority establish further formal partnership agreements

and/or Memorandums of Understanding with local community organisations to ensure their

role in disaster preparedness and recovery is formally recognised and properly resourced.

Recommendation 7 __________________________________________________________ 23

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority consult with local communities and organisations to

develop a strategic framework and/or practical guidance around the management and support

of spontaneous volunteers.

Recommendation 8 __________________________________________________________ 24

That the NSW Reconstruction Authority consider opportunities to strengthen community-led

recovery by co-designing recovery strategies and frameworks with local councils, Joint

Organisations, and community representatives.

Recommendation 9 __________________________________________________________ 25

That the NSW Government fund permanent Community Recovery and Preparedness Officers

within councils or at a regional level to coordinate outreach efforts and ensure continuity in

disaster recovery and preparedness. Consideration should be given to the financial health and

disaster risk profile of councils and eligibility criteria that ensures support is provided to

councils on a needs basis.

Recommendation 10 _________________________________________________________ 28

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.

Finding 4 ___________________________________________________________________ 31

While communities have demonstrated significant resilience and adaptability, the cumulative

impact of successive and compounding natural disasters has adverse mental health impacts for

community members, volunteers and emergency responders.

Finding 5 ___________________________________________________________________ 31

Requiring people to repeatedly recount their experiences across different agencies adds to the

burden of already distressed community members and undermines the effectiveness of

recovery assistance.

Recommendation 11 _________________________________________________________ 31

That the NSW Government, led by Service NSW, urgently expand the 'Tell Your Story Once'

project across government agencies to support person-centred recovery assistance processes

and reduce duplication.

Finding 6 ___________________________________________________________________ 35

The NSW Reconstruction Authority did not exercise its planning powers in response to the May

2025 East Coast severe weather event.