NSW Reconstruction Authority – Central West

Community is at the centre of the recovery effort in the Central West, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) engaging with flood affected locals to help build a shared understanding of risk in the region.

The Australian and NSW governments have jointly funded a $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience package which includes:

• $40 million for the Central West 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 Update

The $40 million Resilient Homes Program - Central West is being developed to support residents impacted by the 2022 Central West floods. The Program aims to reduce the impact of future floods by creating more resilient housing in the region.  

RA has been working closely with local councils, community leaders, technical experts and the local community to design the Program. Feedback from over 450 surveys and community information sessions in February has been considered in the design of the Program. 

From July to August 2024, RA will be holding community information sessions across the Central West to seek feedback on the proposed approach for the Program, including the potential measures and participation requirements.  RA will be sharing prioritisation maps that have been produced for the program, and flood engineers will be on hand to discuss how they were developed.  

Community Assets Program and Regional Transport Resilience Fund

$57 million in funding has been allocated to two Programs to help repair and restore vital community and transport infrastructure in the Central West regions. Applications will be open for Councils to apply in the coming months.

The Regional Transport Resilience Fund will see vital transport infrastructure like bridges and flood crossings replaced and roads repaired and improved to be more flood resistant.

The Community Assets Program will focus on the repair and restoration places that bring communities together, like sporting fields, parks and playgrounds, recreational centres and libraries damaged during the floods.

Importantly, both programs focus on building back better to ensure communities are better prepared and more resilient in the face of natural disasters.

Community Leaders Forum

To help oversee delivery of the landmark $100 million package, a Community Leaders Forum has been established with the Mayors of the Central West Councils - Cabonne, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan as well as representatives from the Australian and NSW Governments (NSWRA) with the Member for Orange, Phil Donato, as Chair.

The CLF meets regularly to help guide future decisions about recovery and reconstruction and ensure discussions are informed by community needs and driven by local community leaders.

Meeting agendas and summaries can be viewed below with the next meeting scheduled for 22 May in Forbes. 

Meeting Agenda – 14 February 2024

Meeting Summary – 14 February 2024

Meeting Agenda – 15 March 2024

Meeting Summary – 15 March 2024

Meeting Agenda – 10 April 2024

Meeting Summary – 10 April 20204

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 region.

To find out more, including how to apply contact the NSW Reconstruction Authority on 1300 003 227 or email housingtaskforce@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au or visit Central West temporary housing.

Keep up to date

Community members who would like to receive regular updates on the program are encouraged to sign up for updates by emailing CentralWest.Recovery@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au or call NSWRA on 1300 003 227.

To see the latest newsletters, distributed through the region, go to Central West Recovery Centre - April 2024 (PDF 1.07MB)

Factsheets from the recent community information sessions can be found here: 

• RA Factsheet - About the RA (PDF 645.82KB)
• RA Factsheet - About the Central West Housing Program (PDF 111.6KB)
• RA Factsheet - Types of Housing (PDF 111.82KB)
• RA Factsheet - Flood Studies (PDF 105.39KB)
• RA Factsheet - The Consultation Process (PDF 99.79KB)