Victims of devastating weather events are traumatised by having to repeatedly recount their experiences to different agencies, a review of the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s response to east coast catastrophes has found.

The Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority made 23 recommendations in a report tabled in state parliament last Thursday.

While the inquiry’s focus was on severe weather in the east in May last year – particularly the Mid North Coast region including Taree – it also reflected on the Central West floods in 2022, a power cut in the far west in late 2024 and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March last year.

Its report says the state government, led by Service NSW, needs to urgently expand the Tell Your Story Once project across agencies, support “person-centred” recovery assistance processes and reduce duplication.

“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,” the report says.

Among other recommendations, the committee says the government needs to increase upfront primary producer grants from $5000 to provide more support for farmers in the recovery process.

The committee also says the authority should invest more in preparedness initiatives through a dedicated fund.

“These programs should be informed by co-design with relevant stakeholders including insurers, local councils and community organisations.”

The report urges the government, led by the Reconstruction Authority, to standardise data collection and data sharing protocols relating to disaster impacts and recovery, to improve interagency co-ordination and decision-making.

The committee recommends that the government fund permanent community recovery and preparedness officers within councils or at a regional level to co-ordinate outreach efforts and ensure continuity.

And it notes the Resilient Homes Program is performing below community expectations, adding to frustration and uncertainty during recovery.

The program offers money to buy back homes at high risk and provides grants to make properties more resilient to floods.

A dozen local government areas in the Northern Rivers and Central West regions engaged in the program.