Narrabri Shire Appoints Community Recovery Officer

Published on 22 February 2024

Following flooding in August and September 2022, Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements between the Commonwealth and NSW State Governments will see the appointment of 10 Community Recovery Officers (CROs) to bolster ongoing recovery efforts in the state’s Central West, New England, and Riverina regions.

These officers will be integrated into local councils, collaborating closely with community groups and other disaster response and recovery stakeholders. Their focus will encompass social, economic, and environmental recovery in the Local Government Areas of Berrigan, Cabonne, Central Darling, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Edward River, Gunnedah, Moree, Murray River, Narrabri, and Wentworth.

The newly appointed CRO for Narrabri Shire has already implemented significant updates to the Shire's website and will soon initiate a survey aimed at better understanding the needs of the community, ensuring residents are equipped to prepare for future flooding events.

The Community Recovery Officer will then engage with local towns and villages to contribute to developing a Local Pre-Event Recovery Plan for the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC).

The devastating flooding in August and September 2022 led to over 1700 people seeking emergency accommodation, saw damage to more than 5200 properties, and significant impacts on key infrastructure such as electricity, sewage, and roads.

Under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the Commonwealth and State Governments will jointly provide $2.2 million in funding. This allocation will support CROs as they collaborate closely with their communities over the next 12 months to facilitate community recovery activities.

For more information on resources and upcoming community events visit https://www.narrabri.nsw.gov.au/Resident-Services/Emergencies-and-Disasters-in-Narrabri-Shire