NSW Reconstruction Authority Established
1st January 2023
The NSW Reconstruction Authority, a recommendation of the NSW Independent Flood Inquiry, was established in December.
The Authority is responsible for facilitating disaster prevention, preparedness, recovery, reconstruction, and adaptation to the effects of natural disasters.
The stated aims of the Authority are:
- lead disaster resilience, risk reduction, adaptation and mitigation activities
- provide education and infrastructure before disasters to minimise harm
- ensure the reconstruction process begins swiftly when a disaster strikes
- reduce community devastation.
The Authority’s responsibilities include:
- creating and implementing the State Disaster Mitigation Plan
- giving advice as needed to Councils and government agencies on disaster adaptation
- supporting communities to help recover from a natural disaster
- coordinating development in disaster-affected areas
- acquiring and subdividing land for rebuilding communities
- rebuilding infrastructure.
FMA supports the proposed alignment between disaster planning and strategic planning that the Authority is intended to enable.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is a statutory corporation reporting to the Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts, and the Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke.
Resilience NSW staff will transition into the NSW Reconstruction Authority and other NSW Government agencies.
Mick Cassel, Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, has been appointed acting CEO.
