NSW has established a new resilience agency to lead disaster preparedness and recovery from catastrophes affecting the state.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says Resilience NSW will allow the state to step-up efforts to deal with crises, and its role will include recovery from the coronavirus outbreak.

“The NSW community has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of many disasters – bushfires, drought, flood and now the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

“We know the next six months will be very difficult, but we must already turn our mind to recovery.”

The agency will be led by NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who is retiring after 12 years in the top position. He is also a member of the NSW State Emergency Management Commission and the NSW State Rescue Board.

The new agency will lead a “whole-of government” response and will oversee and coordinate emergency management policy, service delivery and all aspects of disaster recovery at a state, national and international level, he says.