Natural Disaster arrangements
What are the NSW Natural Disaster Essential Public Asset Restoration Guidelines?
To assist councils meet DRFA, the NSW Natural Disaster Essential Public Asset Restoration Guidelines (PDF, 1.41 MB) (the Guidelines) have been developed.
The Guidelines describe the NSW Government’s arrangements for providing assistance to local councils for the restoration of essential public assets that have been damaged as a direct result of eligible disasters.
Applications for funding under these guidelines for all three types of restoration works - Emergency Works, Immediate Reconstruction Works and Essential Public Asset Reconstruction Works must demonstrate the:
- pre-disaster condition of the essential public asset
- damage on the essential public asset was a direct result of an eligible disaster and
- completion of works undertaken.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) provided input into the DRFA and the Guidelines. Councils are now required to provide evidence and documents outlined in the Guideline for their proposed restoration works.
This will ensure all agencies (in the administration of natural disaster claims) will be able to undertake a timely review and approval process for the restoration of essential public assets in NSW.
Importantly, under the Guidelines if a council cannot provide adequate evidence for an essential public asset’s pre-disaster condition, damage and completion of works, both TfNSW and the Office of Emergency Management may assess the reconstruction works to be ineligible for funding assistance, or it may result in reduced funding.
This may result in the delay in the commencement of reconstruction works by councils.
Councils
It important that councils are aware of their responsibilities and their new requirements, especially regarding evidence requirements for proposed restoration works.
Councils must meet all evidentiary requirements when submitting a claim, and if a council cannot provide adequate evidence, the administering agency may assess the reconstruction works to be ineligible for funding assistance, or it may result in reduced funding. It may also cause delays in the commencement of reconstruction works.
Natural disasters
A ‘declared’ natural disaster is a natural event (or a combination of natural events) where the level of event-caused damage and distress leads the State Government to offer financial assistance to those affected by the event.
For a list of current Natural Disaster Declarations: Natural disaster declarations website
Other State Government agencies have similar arrangements for other assets managed by councils.
The Federal Government provides financial assistance to the State, in certain circumstances, to help repair damage attributable to declared natural disasters.
For more information on Attorney-General's Department: About the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
The new Natural Disaster documents can be found at: https://drfa.support/
Documents
Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).
If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.
Application forms
Fact sheets
- Eligibility of Labour costs - NSW Reconstruction Authority - FAQs (PDF, 76.93 KB)
- Guide for Cost Estimate of Natural Disaster Essential Public Assets Reconstruction Works (PDF, 999.49 KB)
- Natural Disaster Fact Sheet - Pre-Condition Certification (PDF, 128.95 KB)
- Natural Disaster Guide - Pavement Saturation Damage Assessment Guide (PDF, 721.63 KB)
- Natural Disaster Guide - Slope Damage Restoration Requirements (PDF, 9.07 MB)
- December 2023 Schedule of Natural Disaster Recovery Training Sessions for NSW Local Councils (PDF, 291.97 KB)
- Natural Disaster Recovery Factsheet - Culverts (PDF, 377.78 KB)
- Natural Disaster Recovery Factsheet - Sealed Pavement Damage (PDF, 175.71 KB)
- Schedule of Natural Disaster Recovery Training sessions for NSW Local Councils (PDF, 215.91 KB)
- Disaster Recovery Funding - council claim submission checklist (PDF, 368.63 KB)
- Natural Disaster Recovery Factsheet - Transaction Listing (PDF, 126.2 KB)
- Natural Disaster Recovery Factsheet - Gravel Re-Sheeting (PDF, 162.73 KB)
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like more information on Natural Disaster Recovery please email your Local Government Team in our regional offices.
lgnorthern@transport.nsw.gov.au
lgwestern@transport.nsw.gov.au