NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM has been appointed to act as the Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
This move comes as Simon Draper PSM, the previous CEO, steps down from his role to solely focus on leading the public service as Secretary of the Premier’s Department.
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon, known for leading flood recovery efforts in the Northern Rivers as the Northern NSW Recovery Coordinator in 2022, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
With an extensive career in the NSW Police Force, Deputy Commissioner Lanyon is well-equipped to lead the Reconstruction Authority as it continues its vital work.
The appointment of Deputy Commissioner Lanyon ensures continuity and certainty for the Reconstruction Authority, particularly as the state faces ongoing challenges from natural disasters.
His role as Acting CEO will commence from 8 April 2024.
Established on 16 December 2022, the Reconstruction Authority aims to proactively reduce the impact of floods, fires, and other major disasters, and to help communities across NSW recover faster.
Many NSW residents live in disaster-prone areas, with several communities across the state experiencing major disasters since 2019.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, expressed confidence in Deputy Commissioner Lanyon’s ability to lead the Reconstruction Authority, citing his extensive experience in disaster response and recovery.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, also welcomed the appointment, highlighting the importance of strong leadership in building community resilience.
Dib stated: “When disaster strikes, our communities rely on the dedication and unflagging efforts of our frontline responders across the emergency services and NSW Police Force.
“I welcome the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Lanyon to lead the NSW Reconstruction Authority as it continues its essential work to build resilience in our communities.”
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin stated: “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.
“I also take this opportunity to thank Simon Draper for establishing the NSW Reconstruction Authority, and for doing such a fantastic job of getting us to the stage where we now have a State Disaster Mitigation Plan and teams in locations across the state.
“Simon took over following the massive disaster in the Northern Rivers plus a series of other major disasters. He has pulled together a strong team to help NSW recover and respond when disasters happen.”
Deputy Commissioner Lanyon’s appointment comes at a critical time as communities across NSW continue their recovery from recent disasters, including the unprecedented floods in 2022.
His leadership is predicted to be instrumental in guiding the Reconstruction Authority’s efforts to support these communities on their journey to recovery.
