Resilience blueprint detail

People, Culture & Communities

People, Culture & Communities

Summary

The people, communities and cultures of the South East are at the heart of why bolstering our existing levels of resilience is so important

Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing

Maintaining and enhancing physical and mental health and wellbeing are a cornerstone of the Resilience Blueprint. More than any other aspect, good health and wellbeing is the number one aspiration of communities across South East NSW.

There has been a lot to deal with. There is a journey to go, and that is okay.

Support to help individuals and communities to deal with extremes and stress requires a long-term and enduring approach, it is not just an issue in times of recovery. It must be a continuous focus, and resourced and funded appropriated. Our people are our greatest asset and they require investment.

Theme 2: Community-led Preparedness

Communities are empowered and have agency in relation to those elements which are within their realm of control and influence. Some things we cannot control or influence, and some we can. Where we can, we act.

People and communities self-educate, and are provided with the information and intelligence to do so, to develop plans and inform decision making. This is done proactively, because waiting until an event is immanent is too late. This approach means that as a community, we are never complacent.

People and communities can learn and seek mentorship on First Nations’ traditional and modern practices and teachings on caring for Country

Theme 3: Cohesive Communities

Social connections vastly increase our levels of resilience. This goes beyond our own participation as a citizen in our community, but is also about ensuring our communities are inclusive and diverse. It also includes having an awareness of the needs of those who may be more vulnerable, this may be due to illness, age or physical or social isolation.

This does not necessarily mean that we do things for others, but rather that we help them to realise their own abilities and realms of control and influence.

These characteristics and approaches strengthen our social fabric, and they are celebrated.

Experience and knowledge is shared for the benefit of the wide community, and across generations.

Growing resilience requires us all to stretch boundaries.

Experience and knowledge is shared for the benefit of the wide community, and across generations. Growing resilience requires us all to stretch boundaries.

I would feel better prepared if I were better linked to my neighbours, local response and recovery organisations through regular get-togethers and practical get ready sessions.” - Queanbeyan-Palerang resident

Example Approaches From Across the Region

Fire to Flourish

A five-year transdisciplinary program led by Monash University that operates at the intersection of disaster resilience and community development. Fire to Flourish supports communities to lead their own recovery and co-create the foundations for long-term resilience and wellbeing. The initiative aims to break cycles of entrenched disadvantage by fostering local leadership and action. The program is supported through partnerships across government, philanthropic, not-for-profit, and private sectors. 

🔗 https://www.firetoflourish.monash/

Residents in the Bega Valley established localised street and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups to share emergency preparedness tips, coordinate responses during hazard events, and foster community connection. These informal networks have proven to be valuable platforms for building trust, offering mutual aid, and strengthening local social capital.

Save the Children Australia set up ‘Child Friendly Spaces’ in evacuation and recovery centres in Wagga Wagga and Bega following the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires. These spaces provided children with safe, inclusive areas to play and socialise while giving parents and caregivers a chance to focus on practical recovery needs like insurance claims, temporary housing, and accessing services.

Written by Eurobodalla journalist Bronwyn Adcock, Currowan: A Story of Fire and a Community During Australia’s Worst Summer captures the lived experience of the Black Summer bushfires from a local perspective. It documents the Currowan fire’s impacts and the community’s resilience, providing an honest and compelling narrative of local strength and collective response.
🔗 https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/21935947

Delivered in partnership with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, this program builds community resilience through leadership development and systems thinking. It supports local leaders to grow their ability to navigate complexity and take collaborative action in service of shared community goals, especially in the face of future emergencies and change.
🔗 https://rural-leaders.org.au/building-eurobodallas-leadership-capability-to-prepare-for-future-emergencies-and-opportunities-2/

Through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy, Tumut Preschool integrated a Wiradjuri culturally-inclusive curriculum led by Indigenous educators. The program connects children with local Elders and fosters cultural understanding through language, stories, and knowledge-sharing, supporting inclusion and early education resilience.
🔗 https://www.niaa.gov.au/sites/default/files/reports/closing-the-gap-2017/wiradjuri-learning-tumut-new-south-wales.html

A national Indigenous-led organisation revitalising cultural burning practices to care for Country. Firesticks Alliance promotes Indigenous leadership, learning, and collaboration around cultural fire management. It supports communities to reconnect with traditional land management and build partnerships across sectors to strengthen both ecological and cultural resilience.
🔗 https://firesticks.org.au/learn/ 

Tools for Support

For people and communities:

For governments and service organisations:

Theme: Health and Wellbeing

System Priorities

We are open about mental health

We facilitate access and foster a culture of mental health awareness and support

Strategies

People and communities 

  • Fostering behaviours that support people to reach out for support 

Service agencies and organisations:

  • Awareness of mental health referral and options for help are clear and shared
  • Psychological first aid training to support those who support others
  • Training of staff and volunteers on how to support people experiencing trauma

Government:

  • Psychological first aid training to support those who support others
  • De-brief to discuss and share experiences at different intervals throughout the resilience and recovery cycle
  • Training of first responders, staff and elected officials on how to support people experiencing trauma

Indicator Metrics

  • Regional wellbeing survey community wellbeing indices
  • Access to health services
  • Number of training modules delivered
  • Drug and alcohol abuse data
  • Domestic violence data
  • Suicide and suicide prevention data
  • Number of physical health programs delivered

NOTE: mental health referrals is not an effective indicator as referrals should be expected to increase because of supportive intervention.

Theme: Community-Led Preparedness

System Priorities

We anticipate risks and impacts in advance, and plans are developed to avoid, mitigate and be ready

Strategies

People and communities

  • Individuals and communities are proactive about understanding their risks and taking steps
    to plan and be prepared. It is too late when an event is imminent
  • Property maintenance and land management underpins our preparedness
  • Peer-led approaches support neighbourhood and whole-of-community resilience
  • Checking insurance policies and keeping them up to date with adequate coverage
  • Specific support for newcomers and the information and knowledge they need
  • Plan for pets and livestock for different weather events

Government

  • Investment in community-scale capability and capacity, including community leadership programs
  • Information to help people understand their risks and make informed decisions is provided
  • Provision of clear frameworks for volunteer support
  • Emergency services and allied agencies take an all-agencies approach to clearly communicating
    the various roles and responsibilities of all actors in emergency management processes

Indicator Metrics

  • Households with an emergency plan / bushfire survival plan
  • Households with an emergency / evacuation kit
  • Households with plans for pets, working animals and livestock
  • Insurance data
  • Understanding of roles and responsibilities in emergency management and resilience
  • Community participation in decision-making
  • Clear communication channels and processes are in place
Theme: Cohesive Communities

System Priorities

We invest time and energy in community connection
We value diversity and inclusion
We put in place measures to protect our community values
We support our supporters

Strategies

Everyone:

  • Community events foster community connection
  • Hyper-local opportunities for neighbourhood connection and information sharing are embraced
  • First Nations’ practices and processes are valued and funded
  • First Nations knowledge and culture is respected and valued
  • Elevate the voices of and empower the youth. Support for youth leadership is a priority
  • Multiculturalism is embraced and celebrated
  • The value of volunteerism underpins strong communities. Volunteers are recognised and valued
  • Support for vulnerable persons is provided
  • Support, information and resources for new residents is provided
  • Council-community partnerships are prioritised and reflected through local processes

Indicator Metrics

  • Regional wellbeing survey community wellbeing indices
  • Number and diversity of community events
  • Attendance and patronage levels of community events
  • Funding for First Nations’ practices
  • Youth program resourcing and delivery
  • Census data community profiles
  • Levels of community volunteerism and participation
  • Rates of computer literacy
  • Demand for community programs and services for the vulnerable
  • Involvement of human service organisations in local processes
  • Representation of diverse views and voices
  • Availability of assistance to culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Next

The Natural 
Environment

Summary

The health of the landscapes and environments in which we live, work and visit underpin all aspects of resilience. Ensuring the health of Country is pivotal to ensuring the longevity of the unique natural wonders, threatened and endangered ecosystems of South East NSW.

Theme 1: Sustainable Land and Water Management

How we manage land, water and waterways in a sustainable manner contributes enormously to the natural processes and functions of the landscape which supports agricultural production as well as the ecosystems and biodiversity upon which life depends.

Innovative approaches to sustainably maximise land use productivity are deployed, having regard to broader landscape needs and vulnerabilities. There is a natural connection between healthy Country and its protection in its own right, and our ability to produce food to sustain communities as part of a stable economy

Theme 2: Care for Healthy Country

The protection of natural systems ensures the intrinsic values of Country are respected and understood. All parts of the system are connected and interdependent. First Nations people must have a greater place in decisions and data collection regarding County and contemporary environmental challenges.

Restoring the health of Country is an enduring pursuit.

Theme 3: Climate Change Innovation

Across the region there is a strong awareness of climate change and its impact on the environment, natural systems, functions and processes. Innovation that is focused on the
enhancing the health of environmental values can be achieved through combinations of Indigenous knowledge and western science.

Now that our voices are starting to be heard, should we not also be given a formal role of some sort in the decision-making processes within local government, especially anything to do with place and Country? - First Nations resident

“We need to re-set the vegetation benchmark for native vegetation based on traditional, Indigenous values. Connecting with Aboriginal organisations and Local Aboriginal Land Councils, relationship building to deepen knowledge of management practices. We can learn by doing, together.”- Snowy Monaro resident

Example Approaches From Across the Region

Landscape recovery through regional connectivity

This project is a collaboration between South East Local Land Services and nine Landcare networks to support post-bushfire ecological recovery. It strengthens social capital while restoring native species and ecological communities across fire-affected landscapes. Activities focus on revegetation, habitat connectivity, and landholder capacity-building, with a strong emphasis on regional partnerships.
🔗 https://landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/south-east-landcare/landscape-recovery-through-regional-connectivity-in-the-south-east/

Led by the Firesticks Alliance and Local Land Services, cultural burning practices on Yuin Country are reviving Indigenous fire management techniques. These practices focus on listening to Country, reading the landscape, and applying low-intensity burns to care for ecosystems, reduce fuel loads, and enhance cultural and environmental resilience.
🎥 Watch video via https://youtu.be/LAh_isfug14

Initiated by Community Voice for Hume and supported by Goulburn Mulwaree Landcare, this expo showcases local, sustainable farming practices that regenerate soil health, increase soil carbon, and support food security. It brings together producers, land managers, researchers, and the community to share practical knowledge and promote climate-smart agriculture.
🔗 https://landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/goulburn-mulwaree-landcare/expo-working-together-to-support-sustainable-regenerative-farmers201d/

ZeroSE is a regional alliance of individuals, community groups, and organisations working toward net zero carbon emissions in South East NSW. Through advocacy, education, and research, ZeroSE promotes actions that reduce emissions while supporting local job creation and environmental health. The alliance uses evidence-based tools to help communities navigate the energy transition.
🔗 https://zerose.space/

Tools for Support

For people and communities, businesses, service agencies and organisations:

For governments:

Theme: Sustainable Land & Water Management

System Priorities

We invest in sustainable practices
We contribute to biodiversity health
We contribute to effective biosecurity outcomes

Strategies

  • Businesses, community groups, service agencies, organisations and governments:
  • Communities of practice are supported through participation
  • Regenerative agricultural practices are advanced
  • Groundcover management processes are implemented
  • Nutrient run off into waterways is mitigated
  • Riparian buffers are enhanced for wildlife refuge corridors and water quality purposes
  • Fish screens in agricultural landscapes are installed to protect native aquatic species and support sustainable water management
  • On-farm flood and drought management plans are developed and enacted
  • The region’s food security is protected
  • Travelling stock routes continue to provide important biodiversity refuge and support stock
    movement, including during emergencies
  • Weed, pest and disease outbreak is avoided, mitigated or managed through effective biosecurity
    plans and measures
  • Avoid fragmentation of agricultural lands, incompatible development and urban encroachment of farm land particularly during drought
  • Pre-plan for temporary waste needs to respond to disaster

Indicator Metrics

  • Number of environmental and sustainability programs in schools
  • Groundcover and topsoil retention
  • Number of reported biosecurity concerns
  • Extent of scouring and bank erosion
  • Performance against regional water plans
Theme: Care for Healthy Country

System Priorities

We value and protect natural processes, ecosystems and biodiversity
We work together to heal Country
We invest in cultural land management practices

Strategies

Everyone:

  • Indigenous knowledge, connections and practices are respected
  • Indigenous agency, capacity and capability to manage Country is supported
  • Cultural burning programs are implemented, providing key training opportunities for Indigenous fire practitioners
  • Understanding of Indigenous weather characteristics of the region is developed and shared
  • Rehabilitation programs are undertaken to restore and heal vegetation communities
  • Biodiversity values are protected from incompatible land uses and activities
  • Hazard mitigation measures are considered on balance with ecological functions and values
  • Agencies and communities work together to develop property-focused disaster plans and management plans

Indicator Metrics

  • First Nations leadership and representation in land management programs
  • Number of Cultural land management programs
  • Regional performance against biodiversity indicators for NSW
  • Water quality indicators
  • Biological indicators such as fish and macroinvertebrate density, benthal algal growth and benthic oxygen demand
Theme: Climate Change Innovation

System Priorities

We do things differently to promote diverse natural environments that withstand or adapt to climate impacts
We harness innovative approaches that reduce human impacts

Strategies

For people and communities:

  • Energy and fuel consumption is reduced
  • Recycling, re-purposing and waste minimisation approaches are adopted
  • Water-saving behaviours are adopted
  • Volunteer to support environmental groups

For businesses, service agencies and organisations and governments:

  • Climate transition is led by decarbonisation policies and action
  • Supporting infrastructure for technological advancement and energy security during transition to net zero is provided
  • Coastal zones are monitored, and measures are deployed at appropriate times to address coastal risks
  • Erosion management measures are deployed
  • Recycling, re-purposing and waste minimisation approaches are adopted
  • Renewable energy investment including wind, solar, biofuels and hydrogen is prioritised
  • Carbon market and biodiversity offsets opportunities are explored
  • Research investment is leveraged to inform decision-making
  • Sector and industry-led approaches to climate innovation and net-zero transition are championed

Indicator Metrics

  • Regional performance against the metrics established by the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
  • Regional delivery of infrastructure in accordance with the net zero and natural endowments objectives of the State Infrastructure Plan
Previous
Next

Built Environment & Infrastructure

Summary

Our built environment (dwellings, towns and centres) and infrastructure networks form part of the foundation of our resilience. Whilst they can offer refuge and provide services upon which we rely, we must be aware that they too can experience disruption and failure. This can present a complicating factor because of the degree to which today’s society relies upon infrastructure and technology which is amplified during emergencies. Planning for built environment and infrastructure resilience in a changing climate is key.

Theme 1: Risk-Based Land Use Planning

The 2015 Productivity Commission into Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements states that ‘land use planning is perhaps the most potent policy lever for influencing the level of future disaster risk’. The Planning Institute of Australia notes the benefits of a focus on disaster resilience in land use planning, including anticipating risks before they happen and developing the built form to address those risks, minimising risks to people and social and economic functions, and translating learnings from recovery to improve settlement durability (AIDR, 2020).

Adopting risk-based approaches across the spectrum of land use planning practices and processes will help arrest existing risk exposure and work to avoid unacceptable risk outcomes. Factoring in climate projections and how we adapt into the future lies at the core and approaches span the policy, strategic and development assessment spectrums.

Theme 2: Buildings, Facilities and Places

The resilience of places where we live and work and their ability to stand up to different weather events and impacts is critical. How we deal with extreme heat now and into the future is a challenge, but one with many opportunities which also enhance liveability. Equipping public buildings, facilities and places to adapt to diverse conditions will enable their function across a broad set of circumstances.

Likewise, equipping our homes and properties to adapt to different circumstances and needs is also important. This may involve retrofitting and maintaining existing homes, how we design new homes to be sustainable and resilient, and how we maintain them and the surrounding property, can greatly aid their ability to withstand.

Theme 3: Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure

Infrastructure assets and networks provide the platform for much of our human interaction, whether it be physical connectivity via roads, air, sea or rail, or telecommunications and digital connectivity or the operation of essential services like water supply and sewerage, the reliability and resilience of infrastructure assets and networks is pivotal.

The This is reflected by the State Infrastructure Strategy and the need to embed reliability and resilience as one of 9 key objectives. This extends to whole-of-lifecycle considerations including asset management and continuity planning.

We need to see more happening in every way to counter the adverse effects of climate change, better soils, conserving quality water, a faster shift to renewable energy and cheaper electricity, reducing and recycling waste...there is so much that can be done including an emphasis on faster planning and implementation of better measures. - Goulburn Mulwaree resident

Example Approaches From Across the Region

Cooma’s long-standing flood resilience legacy

For over 70 years, Cooma has implemented flood resilience measures that have reduced disaster risk and protected the local economy. Investments have included channel improvements, levee systems, land use planning controls aligned with flood hazard zones, and flood warning infrastructure. This legacy is now being expanded through the Snowy Monaro Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans, which take an integrated and future-oriented approach to flood risk reduction in the face of changing climate extremes.
🔗 https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/Building-and-Planning/Development/Development-Considerations/Floodplain-Management#section-7

 Councils across South East NSW are responding to the increasing frequency of extreme heat through innovative urban adaptation strategies:

– Wingecarribee Shire Council developed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan which addresses a range of climate risks including urban heat.
🔗 https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/environment/energy-in-your-home-or-business/climate-change-adaptation-plan-summary.pdf 

– Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council created the Keeping it Cool – Vegetation and Heat Adaptation Strategy, targeting urban greening, tree canopy expansion, and built environment resilience to heatwaves.
🔗 https://www.qprc.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/waste-and-environment/environment/climate-change-vulnerability-of-urban-trees.pdf 

– Goulburn Mulwaree Council has undertaken a range of Climate Change Assessment and Adaptation Initiatives, including heat mapping, risk assessments, and adaptation pathways for key assets.
🔗 https://www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/other-files/utilities-forms-2324/climate-change-assessment-and-adaption-report.pdf

Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Infrastructure Resilience Plan was informed by the experience and lessons learned from major bushfires including the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires as well as almost ten significant flood events over recent years. Its focus is directed to reducing community impact as well as risks to first responders and early recovery teams.
🔗 https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/community/bushfire-recovery/restoring-our-infrastructure

Tools for Support

For people and communities:

For service agencies, organisations and governments:

Theme: Risk-Based Land Use Planning

System Priorities

We drive sustainable settlement patterns and land use allocation
We plan for natural hazards and risk as a foundation

Strategies

Governments:

  • Integrate the consideration of climate change as part of risk analysis activities for land use planning.
    This relates to risks that are identified today as well as what may be required in the future
  • Undertake risk assessments and scenario testing across hazards that considers exposure, vulnerabilities and stress factors (sensitivities)
  • Investment and economic development is directed to lower risk locations and circumstances
  • Strategic planning ensures land is zoned to avoid higher risk locations and potential circumstances
  • Forward-focussed settlement adaptation approaches are explored for high risk locations
  • Consider risk elements such as evacuation when analysing growth options
  • Deploy statutory tools to derive appropriate settlement pattern outcomes, like ensuring lot sizes are appropriately matched to intended risk-based objectives
  • Consider First Nations knowledge, local knowledge and risk analysis was part of information gathering processes to inform decisions
  • Regional planning is undertaken using a risk-based approach as a baseline principle, with a focus on resilience
  • Employ effective data management processes
  • When disruption, damage or loss occurs, we build back batter. This may include retreat/relocation to lower-risk locations or circumstances

Indicator Metrics

  • Extent of exposure of people and property in higher risk in growth areas
  • Risk considerations are embedded in all land use decisions including policy, strategic planning and development assessment
  • Consideration of risk occurs early in planning processes
  • Updates to and new planning instruments such as regional plans and Local Strategic-Planning Statements prioritise the consideration of risk
  • Property damage and loss data
  • Tools are deployed to address risk legacy in existing communities
  • Natural systems and processes are maintained through planning processes
  • Risk data and intelligence is maintained in perpetuity
  • Monitoring and review of decisions processes in place
  • Managed retreat plans and pre-planning for post-disaster impacts are in place
Theme: Buildings, Facilities & Places

System Priorities

We invest in resilient buildings
We provide multi-purpose public facilities
We provide quality community spaces for health and wellbeing

Strategies

For people and communities, businesses, service agencies and organisations:

  • New buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with resilience and sustainability principles
  • Adequate insurance for buildings and contents is assessed annually
  • When disruption, damage or loss occurs, we build back better. This may include retreat/relocation to lower-risk locations or circumstances

For governments:

  • Sustainability standards for new homes and buildings are strengthened
  • Existing and new public facilities are designed and constructed in accordance with accessibility, resilience and sustainability principles
  • Multi-purpose public facilities incorporate the potential to service refuge, evacuation and/or recovery / community hub needs, including the needs of vulnerable persons
  • Public facilities that may provide a refuge, evacuation and/or recovery/community hub purpose are equipped with generators, solar power, Wi-Fi, telecommunications receivers, emergency food and water supplies, first aid equipment, chain saws and other tools
  • The ability for public facilities to provide heat refuge and respite for the community and
    vulnerable persons is considered
  • Urban design and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) principles for building and public realm performance during periods of extreme heat are employed, supported by heat mapping
  • Retrofit existing buildings and facilities with energy efficient lighting and appliances, installing insulation, ventilation and security for use at night time
  • Work with ACT Housing to monitor and provide information on regional vulnerability and the CRJO Housing Toolkit
  • Wi-Fi and device recharge stations are contemplated as part of new public spaces, including fixed and transportable options
  • When disruption, damage or loss occurs, we build back better. This may include retreat/relocation to lower-risk locations or circumstances

Indicator Metrics

  • Data on the implementation of the CRJO Housing Toolkit
  • Number of properties in the region that are under-insured or not insured
  • Performance against building sustainability indicators
  • Number of public buildings serviced by generators and solar
  • Number of identified heat refuges
  • Extent of urban canopy cover
  • Urban heat mapping data
  • Number of public buildings fit for evacuation or refuge use, including accessibility
  • Number of community hubs that offer multi-purpose options
  • Managed retreat plans and pre-planning for post-disaster impacts are in place
Theme: Resilient & Sustainable Infrastructure

System Priorities

We focus on system, network and asset redundancy
We value durability and reliability
We employ innovation to provide continuity of service

Strategies

Service agencies, organisations and governments:

  • Climate risks to systems, networks and assets are identified and addressed
  • Assets that support regional, state-wide or national services or networks are identified and prioritised for risk management
  • Betterment as the norm, rather than the exception
  • Resilience ‘premiums’ are accepted as normal practice. New infrastructure and upgrades incorporate resilience as a baseline component of design and construction
  • When disruption, damage or loss occurs, we build back better. This may include retreat / relocation to lower-risk locations or circumstances
  • Multiple energy generation opportunities can provide a level of network redundancy
  • Mobile blackspots across the region are addressed, supporting social and economic needs as well as in times of emergency
  • Back-up power sources are provided for telecommunications assets across the region, and temporary facilities are positioned around the region
  • Resilience needs and benefits are factored into long-term asset management plans and capital
    expenditure programs
  • Enduring investment is allocated for flood warning infrastructure assets and networks, as well as other early warning systems (where appropriate)
  • Asset owners (including government) provide asset metadata to the NSW Spatial Digital Twin and emergency services, updated annually
  • Asset protection and access roads for critical infrastructure are maintained on an annual basis
  • Higher risk and vulnerable infrastructure assets like electricity is provided underground
  • Manage roadside vegetation using a risk-based approach and balanced with broader land use and biodiversity needs

Indicator Metrics

  • Number of critical infrastructure assets in higher risk locations
  • Responsibilities for asset and risk management are confirmed
  • Contingency plans for assets and services are in place
  • Regular reporting through emergency management frameworks takes place
  • Asset data and interdependency information is shared
  • Build back better approaches are embedded in asset management plans 
  • Managed retreat plans and pre-planning for post-disaster impacts are in place
  • Mobile blackspot areas are reduced
  • Flood warning assets are supported by long-term maintenance plans and activities
  • Resilience is embedded into business cases and avoided loss data is shared
Previous
Next

The Economy

Summary

Economic resilience is a crucial element with strong inter-relationships and inter-dependencies across multiple system environments. The function of local and regional economies underpins our social resilience. Economic resilience can unlock opportunities and provide a form of stability during change and uncertainty.

During times of recovery, efficient grant management is required, making it easier for businesses to navigate and seek support and ensuring appropriate use of funds.

Theme 1: Diversification and Innovation

From a governance perspective, economic resilience is related to welfare impacts bade on the ability for the economy to cope and recover and can be influenced by policies aimed at prevention and mitigation (World Bank, 2014 and OECD, 2017). Economic growth is a widely-held aspiration that underpins liveability, and can be impacted significantly by shocks and stresses.

Local and regional economic diversification and a focus on innovation is a key opportunity to strengthen performance, and mitigate against volatility.

Theme 2: Enterprise Resilience

The COVID-19 global pandemic saw widespread shifts to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Some enterprises were able to pivot and some even prospered whilst others did not. Enterprise risk management and continuity planning is critical to any business operation. Business will be interrupted. Having a plan can provide control over decision-making.

From a community and governance perspective, the health of local businesses is a priority, supporting our access to goods and services to meet needs and to ensure whole-of-community opportunities to thrive in the longer term. Access to employment and income are crucial during times of shock and stress.

Theme 3: Climate-Ready Economy

Climate-ready economies are those which understand their risks, take steps to avoid or minimise the impacts of those risks and take advantage of emerging market opportunities and innovations. Whilst changes in practices will be required as Australia navigates toward net zero emissions, there are many benefits that coincide with new emerging markets and increased investment.

These disasters are going to get worse. We need a proper go-to plan forpreparing and then managing our way through them. - Yass business representative

I have no idea how to be better prepared. Even worse, I have no idea where to find that information to change the fact that I don’t know. - Eurobodalla business representative

Example Approaches From Across the Region

Enabling Resilience Investment

CSIRO’s Enabling Resilience Investment (ERI) approach is being piloted in the Bega Valley to support long-term, adaptive economic planning in the face of compounding disasters such as drought, bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Value Advisory Partners, the University of Adelaide and key stakeholders including local government, NSW Government agencies, businesses and communities, the project identifies and assesses investment opportunities that support disaster risk reduction and sustainable regional development.
🔗 https://research.csiro.au/enabling-resilience-investment/case-studies/case-study-bega-valley/

Established as a partnership between Snowy Monaro Regional Council and Business Australia (now operating under Business NSW), the Snowy Monaro Business and Recovery Hub was funded through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (BCRRF). The Hub supported small businesses with tailored recovery advice, grant navigation, and resilience-building strategies following the Black Summer bushfires. It provided a locally embedded resource to assist businesses in identifying operational challenges and building adaptive capacity.
🔗 https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/Emergencies-and-Disasters/Bushfire-Recovery/Bushfire-Recovery-Updates

 The RFCS provides specialised financial counselling and business planning services to primary producers and small rural businesses experiencing financial hardship or transition. Counsellors draw on expertise in agriculture, banking and business operations to offer support in risk management, succession and exit planning, cash flow forecasting, and navigating drought and disaster recovery grants. The service plays a critical role in maintaining the economic resilience of the agricultural sector across South East NSW.
🔗 https://rfcsnsw.org.au/

Tools for Support

For businesses and private sector organisations:

For government:

Theme: Diversification and Innovation

System Priorities

We harness a diverse economic base
We invest in enabler technologies and innovation

Strategies

For businesses and private sector organisations:

  • Business-based opportunities for diversification are explored and embedded, providing multiple income streams
  • New approaches, practices and innovations are harnessed, providing first-mover advantage
  • New technologies are explored

For governments:

  • Diverse economic development growth and diversification strategies are developed and implemented
  • Incentives for business attraction are considered
  • Opportunities for specialisations that diversify smaller centres from others are advanced
  • Changing market forces are anticipated and planned for, support and information is provided for small medium enterprises
  • Enabling infrastructure to support digital enterprise is a focus area for investment

Indicator Metrics

  • Percentages of market share across industry
  • Number of local businesses
  • Proportion of industries by employment and income
  • Industry composition
  • Gross Regional Product
  • Unemployment data
  • Number of local jobs
  • Economic development plan implementation
  • Support for economic diversification though feasibility studies
Theme: Enterprise Resilience

System Priorities

We proactively plan for business continuity, and disaster disruption is part of the plan

Strategies

For businesses and private sector organisations:

  • Adopt a positive outlook on future market share and enact measures for growth
  • Risks that may effect the operations, finances or objectives of the business are identified and
    mitigation measures are put in place
  • Business continuity plans are developed, and disaster disruptions form part of the plan
  • Involve employees in business continuity planning to enhance mutually-understanding of needs
    and limitations
  • Adequate insurance is secured for business assets
  • Understand the risk associated with the supply chain networks upon which business relies to identify redundancy measures
  • Collaborate and partner with complimentary businesses and service providers in the area
  • Financial reserves and positive cash flow is built over time
  • New technologies are explored
  • Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to recovery, and consider business recovery mechanisms in advance of a shock or stress occurring
  • Explore recovery pathways that suit business needs such as adapt or change, pivoting, smoothing
    cash flow, capitalising on short-term opportunity, or downshifting

For governments:

  • New technologies and industry needs are contemplated and integrated into planning frameworks and infrastructure plans, unlocking growth potential and catalysing investment
  • Contribute to conditions that support dynamic business networks and regional business ecosystems with complimentary capacities
  • Consider the ease with which businesses can access resilience and recovery support, including grants and make these processes a streamlined and easy to navigate as possible
  • Consider the needs of diverse business representatives including First Nations businesses, and business operated by and for CALD communities and persons with disabilities
  • Consider local, regional, state and national (and international) supply chain network vulnerabilities and proactively introduce redundancy measures
  • Consider recovery pathways for local businesses in anticipation of events
  • Ensure support is available for businesses that are indirectly impacted, recognising indirect impacts are also significant
  • Ensure business and business representative diversity in economic resilience and recovery consultation processes
  • Support for start-ups (less than 3 years operating) and micro-business is enabled

Indicator Metrics

  • Economic losses from disasters
  • Proportion of business operations with enterprise risk management and business continuity plans that include disaster and climate risk
  • Business and economic data during and after shocks and stresses
  • Participation in industry groups and chamber of commerce and other business networks and associations
  • Participation levels in grant skills workshops
  • Economic development plan implementation
  • Establishment and operation of economic development committees
Theme: Climate Ready Economy

System Priorities

We manage economic risks and position for opportunities in a changing climate

Strategies

For businesses and private sector organisations:

  • Climate-risks are considered from a business and economic perspective
  • Changes to investor expectations and global markets are anticipated and plans are in place to support adaptation
  • Shifts toward net zero emissions are enacted over time
  • Employment programs focus on retraining and up skilling of the workforce over time
  • Decarbonisation is anticipated and its economic changes, including cascading changes, are anticipated and opportunities are leveraged
  • Circular economy opportunities are leveraged
  • Carbon pricing is contemplated as part of the movement to a carbon constrained economy
  • Technological development is embraced

Indicator Metrics

  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Number of enterprises with net zero and sustainability plans in place
  • Number of enterprises with transition risk plans in place
  • Expenditure on transition and environmental protection
  • Changes in sector emissions shares
  • Waste generation data
  • Regional performance against the metrics established by the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
Previous
Next

Leadership & Strategy

Summary

How we collectively demonstrate resilience leadership and navigate towards continuous improvement over time, whilst complex, can be driven by a clear set of principles:

  • multi-dimensional approaches, which view issues through different resilience ‘lenses’ including human and social, economic, environmental, built environment and infrastructure
  • cross-disciplinary effort which brings a range of experiences, knowledge and ideas in contribution to different resilience issues
  • local leadership and championship of resilience-related efforts
  • flexibility and agility to explore relevant issues and adapt to emerging knowledge and information
  • fostering a resilience mindset as part of business as usual practices.

Now more than ever, a strength of leadership that is underpinned by strategic direction is necessary

Theme 1: Emergency Management and Recovery

Climate-related risks are testing our emergency management and recovery systems and processes. Our resources are being stretched and the management of these resources requires re-focus to deal with tomorrow’s challenges.

We also know the duration of recovery processes is long, if ever in some cases. A greater understanding of communities in trauma is needed. Recovery support is required for longer, and requires coordination and collaboration in a manner that respects and integrates locally-led solutions.

Theme 2: Resilience Investment

Deloitte Access Economics (2022) models the total economic costs of disasters in NSW from 2020-2060 to be between $320-$391 billion, depending on emissions scenarios.
Even in a low emissions scenario, which we are not on track to achieve, this is a cost to NSW that is unsustainable.

Supplementing our emergency services capabilities and equipment to respond is one option, but this does not deal with the root causes of our disaster risks. We also need to focus on knowing and understanding our risks and doing something about them whilst we can, before circumstances and conditions overtake that ability.

How we grow resilience to climate-driven disaster risk is not only one of the defining challenges of our time, but one of our greatest opportunities.

Theme 3: Partnerships and Collaboration

We have a need to work better, together.
One of the most widely acknowledged opportunities for growing resilience, recognised across South East NSW by residents, businesses, community groups, service agencies and organisations as well as government representatives, is the need  orimproved:

  • connection
  • collaboration
  • coordination.

These things are not necessarily easy or time efficient, but they are valuable and necessary.

We need leaders who are futures-system literate, inclusive, ethical, informed, representative, and able to operate courageously. - Resilience Blueprint workshop participant

Example Approaches From Across the Region

Batlow Preparedness Plan

Batlow, located in the Snowy Valleys LGA, is participating in the Resilient Towns Initiative, an NSW Government-funded program supporting locally-led disaster preparedness. This two-year project builds the capacity of Council and communities to better prepare for future hazards, drawing on national and international resilience expertise. The plan focuses on collaborative risk reduction, local knowledge, and place-based leadership.
🔗 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYmj6djTxMVXIW-KLHrZLwqDEBlvJdyl/view?pli=1

This grassroots initiative in Bywong and Wamboin enhances community resilience by fostering stronger neighbourhood connections. The program supports local safety, social cohesion, and preparedness through activities such as public walks along the Greenways and Community Firewise Groups. A leadership program helps community members step into volunteer roles, whether as Firewise conveners or local walk leaders, to support disaster readiness and well-being.
🔗 https://www.wamboincommunity.asn.au/communitygroups/index.php?op=resilience

Hosted by Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, the Southern NSW Drought Hub brings together a consortium of nine regional partners, including primary producers, Indigenous groups, industry, researchers, and agencies. The Hub focuses on user-driven research, innovation, and adoption to enable transformational change in drought resilience across Southern NSW. It supports regional leadership in sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.
🔗 https://www.csu.edu.au/research/southern-nsw-drought-resilience-hub/home

 In response to the 2019 – 2020 bushfire season, the Regenerate Capital Region leadership program was created to strengthen regional collaboration and crisis leadership. Delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, the program builds networks across agencies and communities to enhance collective capacity for disaster response. It aligns with the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience’s call for shared responsibility and empowered local action.
🔗 https://rural-leaders.org.au/regenerate-capital-region/

This is a decade-long ecological restoration initiative that balances environmental stewardship with productive agriculture. Led by the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups and partners including Greening Australia and Local Land Services, the project has engaged over 50 landholders in restoring native vegetation corridors. It exemplifies long-term strategic collaboration across community, government, and conservation organisations to create a more biodiverse and resilient rural landscape.
🔗 https://yan.org.au/projects/yass-habitat-linkages#:~:text=Yass%20Habitat%20Linkages%20is%20a%2010%20year%20project,Wildlife%2C%20Local%20Land%20Services%20and%20Yass%20Valley%20Council.

Tools for Support

Theme: Emergency Management & Recovery

System Priorities

We proactively concentrate on emergency management and recovery preparations

Strategies

Everyone:

  • Implementation of findings and recommendations from Commissions and Inquiries is delivered
  • Lessons learned processes are adopted, and are used to engender better approaches
  • Effort and time to coordinate processes are provided
  • Capability and capacity is a continued area of development
  • Local and district emergency management plans are clear and embrace First Nations knowledge, local knowledge and western science
  • Data intelligence is used to inform decision-making
  • Pre-planning for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction
  • Respect for locally-led recovery needs forms the basis of recovery efforts
  • Local solutions to local issues and shared solutions to shared challenges are prioritised
  • Momentum generated from recovery is leveraged into resilience with consistency of funding

Indicator Metrics

  • Changes to processes attributed to lessons learned, Commissions and Inquiries
  • Roles in emergency are clear
  • Emergency response training and exercising
  • Recovery processes are locally-led, state and service supported
  • Plans in place which respond to post-disaster needs
  • Additional resilience roles funded
Theme: Resilience Investment

System Priorities

We invest time, effort and dollars to strengthen resilience to current and future risks

Strategies

Everyone:

  • Organisational resilience is embraced
  • Resourcing, funding coordination and consistency for local government is enhanced
  • Investment in partnerships and collaboration between local government and communities is supported
  • Betterment is the norm, rather than the exception
  • Investment in data, monitoring and intelligence to inform decision making is enhanced
  • Resilience funding is oriented to need, which includes growing social and environmental needs
  • Capability and capacity is a continued area of development
  • Climate change is factored into governance mechanisms
  • Resilience and climate-risk considerations are factored into business as usual processes
  • Climate legal risk is understood and climate scenarios are developed, tested and inform risk management approaches
  • Resilience is factored into government financial planning activities
  • Global drivers and trends that may affect transition risk are explored and analysed
  • Lessons learned help inform where future funding is directed
  • Legislative and regulatory reform enhances innovation by removing red tape

Indicator Metrics

  • Disaster and climate risks are studied to inform strategic planning
  • Integration of the Resilient Blueprint directions into local government IPR&R activities
  • Regional and state-level plans and strategies for the region are informed by the directions of the Resilience Blueprint
  • Resilience directions are actively delivered through implementation pathways
  • Local resilience activities link to state and national disaster risk reduction, climate frameworks and strategies
  • Regional performance against the metrics established by the NSW Climate Change Adaptation Strategy
Theme: Partnerships and Collaboration

System Priorities

We work together to deliver ‘joined-up’ approaches that are coordinated and collaborative

Strategies

Everyone:

  • Partnerships and collaboration between local government and communities is supported
  • Respect for locally-led recovery needs forms the basis of recovery efforts
  • Capability and capacity is a continued area of development
  • The translation of plans into understandable concepts if a focus of all levels of government
  • All levels of government work with the insurance industry to examine risk and explore options and opportunities that limit
  • Information regarding disaster and climate-related risk is shared
  • Lessons learned help inform where future efforts are directed
  • Coordination across levels of government and between departments is enhanced

Indicator Metrics

  • Participation in partnerships, communities of practices, industry groups
  • Public participation in decision-making processes
  • Number of resilience-related capability and capacity programs, including leadership program
  • UNDRR resilience scorecard for cities is deployed as a measure
Previous

Walking the journey

Our resilience journeys are as unique as we are. We start at different points, go at different speeds.

Explore more

Resilience Resource Directory

Resilience is big space. Here is our directory with links to a number of local, state, federal, and international organisations and resources to help assist you on your journey to building resilience.

Explore

Acknowledgement of Country

We stand on Country that always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters, and we show our respect for Elders past and present. We are committed to providing places in which Aboriginal people are included socially, culturally and economically through thoughtful and collaborative approaches to our work.

Resources

made by

BLUEPRINT PARTNERS

© 2025 — Copyright Webdesign and Development by FIBER