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.

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

EXAMPLE APPROACHES FROM ACROSS THE REGION

‘Fire to Flourish’ is a five-year transdisciplinary program led by Monash University working at the intersection of disaster resilience and community development. Fire to Flourish aims to support communities to lead their own recovery, co-create foundations for long-term resilience and wellbeing, and disrupt cycles of entrenched disadvantage. By harnessing the power of local leadership and action, the program will trial and scale a new model of community-led resilience, amplified through partnerships with government, philanthropic, not-for-profit and private sector organisations.

‘Child friendly spaces’ set up by Save the Children in Wagga Wagga and Bega to provide children with a safe and inclusive place to play, laugh and socialise whilst parents could have some respite and deal with things like insurance, securing accommodation and seeking government services.

‘Currowan: A story of a fire and a community during Australia’s worst summer’ was written by Eurobodalla Shire resident and journalist, Bronwyn Adcock. A local’s account of the Black Summer bushfires and the Currowan fire from the perspective of what was experienced, seen, thought and felt.

The ‘Regenerate Eurobodalla’ program seeks to build community resilience through leadership, growing capabilities to operate in complexity and contribute to effective action in service of a shared purpose.

Wiradjuri culturally-inclusive curriculum at Tumut Pre-School through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy, employing Indigenous educators to building relationships and link with Elders and share knowledge.

The Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous-led network and aims to re-invigorate the use of cultural burning by facilitating cultural learning pathways to fire and land management. It provides Indigenous leadership, advocacy and action to protect, conserve and enhance cultural and natural values of people and Country through cultural fire and land management practices. It is an initiative for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to look after Country, share experiences and collectively explore ways to achieve their goals.

Tools for Support

For people and communities:

• Council website emergency management pages and social media
• NSW Fires Near Me (also available as an app)
• NSW RFS plan and prepare tools
• NSW SES emergency kit information
• NSW SES Your Risk suburb look-up
• Preparing for emergencies provided by the Australian Red Cross
• Natural Hazards Research Australia’s ‘Care4Guide’ resources for young volunteer positive
mental health and wellbeing

For governments and service organisations:

• Australian Red Cross ‘Understanding Preparedness and Recovery’ report
• Handbooks for small and large recovery organisations prepared by the University of Canberra
• ‘Strengthening disaster preparedness in human service organisations’ project report prepared
by Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga
• ‘Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness’ (P-CEP) for disability inclusive disaster risk reduction
prepared by the University of Sydney
• Natural Hazards Research Australia’s diversity and inclusion framework:
– ‘Learning as We Go: Developing effective inclusive management’
– ‘Building inclusive partnerships with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities’
• University of Canberra regional wellbeing survey reports
• The Economic Cost of the Social Impact of Natural Disasters prepared by the Australian Business
Roundtable for Disaster Resilience and Safer Communities
• Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) Handbook Collection:
– Community engagement for disaster resilience
– Community recovery
– Disaster resilience education for young peop

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