NSW Reconstruction Authority – Central West
The NSW Reconstruction Authority’s focus is to lead and coordinate the recovery and reconstruction of housing, essential assets and infrastructure following the devastating 2022 Central West floods.
Community is at the centre of the recovery effort in the Central West, with the Reconstruction Authority engaging with flood affected locals to help build a shared understanding of risk in the region.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority’s focus is to lead and coordinate the recovery and reconstruction of housing, essential assets and infrastructure following the devastating 2022 Central West floods.
The Australian and NSW governments have jointly funded a $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience package which includes:
- $40 million for a housing program and $2 million for consultation
- $32 million - Regional Transport Resilience Fund
- $25 million - Community Assets Program
- $1 million - Legal Aid Assistance Program.
Developing the Central West Housing Program
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is working closely with local councils, residents, businesses, and community leaders on designing the Central West Housing Program, engaging with communities through information sessions, workshops, and online communication tools.
We’ve commissioned technical data and flood modelling to help inform the program and are asking the local community to share their experiences and insights from the November 2022 floods to help build a shared understanding of risk in the region.
We want to hear their thoughts on the types of housing programs that could be offered to eligible households, including raisings and retrofits to floodproofing existing dwellings as well as buybacks and relocations.
Detailed flood data is currently being collected and analysed by flood specialist Rhelm in order to develop region-wide flood mapping.
Throughout the process, we’ll be working with community to keep you up-to-date and answer any questions you may have.
Community Assets Program and Regional Transport Resilience Fund
$57 million of the funding will be used for a Community Asset Program and a Regional Transport Resilience Fund, with applications open from local councils in coming months.
The Regional Transport Resilience Fund will see vital transport infrastructure like bridges and flood crossings replaced and roads improved.
The Community Assets Program will focus on places that bring communities together, like sporting fields, parks and playgrounds, recreational centres and libraries.
Importantly, both programs focus on building back better to ensure communities are better prepared in the face of natural disasters.
To help oversee delivery of the landmark $100 million package, Mayors from Cabonne, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan will join representatives from the Australian and NSW governments at a Community Leaders Forum, to be chaired by the Member for Orange Phil Donato.
Community Leaders Forum
The RA hosts a regular Central West Community Leaders Forum of local MPs and Mayors to help guide future decisions about recovery and reconstruction and ensure discussions are informed by community needs and driven by local community leaders.
Summaries of the meetings are being shared to provide the local community with information about the ongoing recovery program in the Central West. These summaries reflect the views of community leaders and are not to be considered as NSW Government policy.
Meeting Agenda - 14 February 2024
Meeting Summary - 14 February 2024
Community Updates
Pods on Private Property and At-Home Caravan program
Funding for the $40 million Pods on Private Property program and the $19 million At-Home Caravan program has been in operation since January 2023 across the Cabonne, Forbes and Parkes local government areas.
To apply for the Pods on Private Property Program or At-Home Caravan Program, contact the NSW Reconstruction Authority on 1300 003 227 or email housingtaskforce@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.
For more information visit Central West temporary housing.
Events and updates
Community is at the centre of recovery in the Central West.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is leading and coordinating the Central West Recovery and Resilience package and is hosting community drop-in sessions with flood affected communities in the Central West.
The team was recently in the Central West providing local communtiies with an update on the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience package, including $40 million for a housing program, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
We encourage community members to complete the Have your Say to share your experience of the 2022 floods and to let us know your preferences for what you would like to see in the housing program.
We will keep the local community, Community Leaders Forum, councils and stakeholders updated on the program including on how to register for the program, as plans progress.
Community members who would like to receive updates on the program can sign up for updates by emailing CentralWest.Recovery@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au
For more information call 1300 003 227.
You can find the fact sheets and posters from the recent community information sessions here:
Register for updates
To keep updated on what’s happening with recovery efforts in the Central West - email your details to:
centralwest.recovery@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au
Have Your Say
You have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the Central West housing program by completing the Have Your Say survey.