NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who led flood recovery efforts in the Northern Rivers in 2022, has been appointed to act as CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

He replaces top public servant Simon Draper in the job, allowing Mr Draper to now focus fully on his role as Secretary of the Premier’s Department.

Mr Draper, who in February 2023 was tasked with getting the Reconstruction Authority up and running, was appointed Secretary of the Premier’s Department last September. He has been performing both roles over the past seven months.

Deputy Commissioner Lanyon takes up his new role with the authority on April 8, having spearheaded recovery efforts as the Northern NSW Recovery Coordinator in 2022.

Temporary secondment

A spokesperson for Planning Minister Paul Scully told Government News Deputy Commissioner Lanyon will act in the role for six months.

The temporary appointment has been criticised by the Greens.

Greens spokesperson for regional NSW Sue Higginson said Deputy Commissioner Lanyon made a huge difference in the Northern Rivers following the 2022 floods, and it was a ‘genuine shame’ he was only being seconded for six months.

Unfortunately, this appointment means that communities recovering from disasters will continue to be exposed to the political convenience of temporary appointments rather than a serious investment in finding a stable and compassionate leader for a critical state authority.

Sue Higginson

“Unfortunately, this appointment means that communities recovering from disasters will continue to be exposed to the political convenience of temporary appointments rather than a serious investment in finding a stable and compassionate leader for a critical state authority,” she said.

“The Reconstruction Authority and its previous versions, has been the subject of intense criticism, particularly in communities that are recovering from devastating disasters.

“It was short sighted of the Government to not have appointed a sole CEO of the Reconstruction Authority and it was unrealistic to think the role could be undertaken by the Secretary of the Premier’s Department.”

Replacing Resilience NSW

The Reconstruction Authority was established in December 2022 to help communities across NSW proactively reduce the impact of floods, fires and bounce back from major disasters.

It replaced its predecessor Resilience NSW, then headed by former RFS chief and Black Summer hero Shane Fitzsimmons, after an inquiry into the 2022 fires found Resilience NSW didn’t perform up to scratch across a number of areas during the fires and recommended it should be ‘reshaped’.

Planning minister Paul Scully said the Reconstruction Authority will be in safe hands with Deputy Commissioner Lanyon, whom he described as an experienced and accomplished leader with extensive hands-on experience working with communities in both disaster response and recovery.

Parliamentary secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said there was no better person to lead the organisation.

“There is no better person to lead this organisation, to ensure our state is prepared for disasters, and to help NSW recover after they strike.”