NSW Reconstruction Authority
Designing engagement for disaster adaption planning
Client | NSW Reconstruction Authority
Service | Stakeholder and community engagement, facilitation, social impact, communications
Duration | 2024 - 2026
Sectors | Resilience, regional infrastructure
This work has established a consistent, scalable approach to community engagement for Disaster Adaptation Plans across NSW, strengthening delivery capability across the organisation.
Project Overview
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is leading place-based disaster adaptation planning across the state, working with community, government and industry to develop regional Disaster Adaptation Plans (DAPs).
We have supported the RA to design and deliver engagement for DAPs, including in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley and Northern Rivers. Since its formation in 2022, we have worked closely with RA as a trusted engagement advisor, helping the organisation establish consistent, scalable approaches to working with communities on disaster adaptation.
Our approach
WWe worked collaboratively with engagement, risk and delivery teams to provide strategic and tactical advice and embed best-practice engagement across the DAP program, drawing on leading methodologies from the engagement and disaster response sectors. Our focus was to clarify how and when communities should be involved, and to provide practical tools to support consistent implementation across projects.
What we delivered
We developed engagement strategies for the first two DAPs and designed and facilitated large stakeholder forums to launch the engagement process, as well as community reference groups to support ongoing input. We also supported the recruitment and onboarding of a Community Reference Group to sit at the core of the engagement program.
In addition, we co-designed a comprehensive Engagement Handbook with NSW RA staff, structured around each stage of the DAP process. The handbook includes core requirements, templates, outputs, 'food for thought' and 'top tips' for each stage, providing engagement teams with practical tools for mapping stakeholders, developing plans and reporting on outcomes.
Impact
This work has established a consistent, scalable approach to community engagement for Disaster Adaptation Plans across NSW, strengthening delivery capability across the organisation. By embedding clear engagement touchpoints, practical tools and defined roles, the handbook has supported more transparent, inclusive and accountable processes. This has accelerated the maturity of the DAP program and positioned the NSW Reconstruction Authority to deliver best-practice engagement across diverse and complex regional contexts.