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.

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.

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

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

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.

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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.

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