A new authority dedicated to disaster preparedness, recovery and reconstruction from natural disasters will be established under legislation introduced to Parliament today.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the creation of a NSW Reconstruction Authority was a key recommendation of the independent Flood Inquiry, conducted by Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Mick Fuller APM.
“Travelling throughout our state this year, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact floods have had on our communities,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We need to make sure communities across NSW are equipped to respond to natural disasters and that they have the support to get back on their feet.
“This Authority will be key to ensuring communities across NSW can better prepare for and recover more quickly from the impact of floods and other natural disasters.”
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Reconstruction Authority will focus on better preparing NSW communities against future disasters and protecting lives and property.
“We’ve always said we will do whatever we can to improve our management of natural disasters from prevention to response and rebuilding – and this authority is an important part of us putting those plans into action,” Mr Toole said.
“The establishment of the NSW Reconstruction Authority is the Government’s commitment to learning from past challenges to make us stronger as a State.”
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the Authority will have the responsibility and power to facilitate the protection, recovery, and reconstruction of affected communities following a natural disaster.
“The Authority will implement mitigation measures against the impact of potential disasters, and improve the resilience and adaptation of communities moving forward,” Mr Roberts said.
“Modelled off the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, it will ensure NSW is as prepared as we can be to tackle disaster mitigation and recovery head on.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Reconstruction Authority will help communities to be better prepared when natural disasters hit.
“Our emergency services organisations continue to lead the response to natural disasters, with the new Reconstruction Authority focusing on the crucial tasks of long-term rebuilding and risk mitigation,” Ms Cooke said.
The Authority will also be responsible for:
- Developing a State disaster mitigation plan and material to guide councils to prepare adaptation plans; and
- Ensuring development needed to prevent or recover from a natural disaster can be delivered quickly.
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation will continue its important work rolling out the $800 million Resilient Homes Program rebuilding communities within the Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed and Kyogle local government areas, before being transitioned into the NSW Reconstruction Authority at an appropriate time.
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