Mr Costa - who is no relation to ex-treasurer Michael Costa - was elected for the first time 18 months ago, when Mr Rees was also first elected.

The former Wollondilly mayor and school teacher will now be on the new-look front bench.

Mr Costa is the new Minister for Water, Rural Affairs and Regional Development.

Others to be named include John Della Bosca, Joe Tripodi, Eric Roozendaal, David Campbell, Tony Kelly, Linda Burney, Matt Brown, John Hatzistergos, Kristina Keneally, Barbara Perry, Verity Firth, Ian Macdonald and Paul Lynch.

Although tipped to lose out, Kevin Greene and Campbelltown MP Graham West survived the reshuffle.

Tony Stewart, Michael Daley, Virginia Judge, Jodi McKay and David Borger join Mr Costa as newcomers.

"It's the combination I wanted," Mr Rees told reporters.

"It's got the courage, it's got the talent and it's got, most importantly, the work ethic.

"That's what this exercise has been about and this is a team that I believe will improve our standing in NSW and deliver the services that we need for NSW and most importantly get about restoring people's confidence in our administration."