SOUTH EAST NSW

Resilience Blueprint

Pillars

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.

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.

EXAMPLE APPROACHES FROM ACROSS THE REGION

Long-standing flood resilience programs to boost resilience like that implemented in Cooma over the past 70 years contribute to enhanced resilience, risk and economic outcomes. Channel improvements and a levee system to protect against frequent flood events are complemented by investments in flood warning infrastructure assets and land use planning policies with a focus on compatibility with levels of flood hazard. The Snowy Monaro Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans are the next generation approach, building on a resilience legacy dating back to the 1950s.

More frequent periods of extreme heat require new approaches to manage heat-related risks and the impacts of urban heat island effect. Wingecarribee Shire Council’s ‘Climate Change Adaptation Plan’,
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council’s ‘Keeping it Cool – vegetation and heat adaptation strategy’ and Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Climate Change Assessment and Adaptation Initiatives include measures to increase community resilience to extreme heat, as well as other climate risks.

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.

Tools for Support

For people and communities:

• Bushfire-Resilient Housing Toolkit prepared by the Canberra Region Joint Organisation
• Building in a Bushfire Prone Area and Planning for Bushfire Protection prepared by the NSW Rural Fire Service
• Your Home: Creating sustainable homes for the future available from the Commonwealth Government
• Future Homes program from the Green Building Council Australia
• Council Local Strategic Planning Statements, Local Environmental Plans, Development Control Plans, Infrastructure and Asset Management Plans

For service agencies, organisations and governments:

• Bushfire-Resilient Housing Toolkit for Councils prepared by the Canberra Region Joint Organisation
• Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) Handbook Collection:
– Evacuation planning
– Land use planning for disaster resilient communities
– Flood emergency planning for disaster resilience
– Managing the floodplain
– National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines
– Systemic disaster risk
• Risk-based Land Use Guide prepared by the United Nations
• NSW Climate Adaptation Strategy prepared by AdaptNSW
• A Pathway to Infrastructure Resilience prepared by the Commonwealth Government
• State Infrastructure Strategy prepared by the Infrastructure NSW

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

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