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COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Disaster Response, Recovery and Adaptation

  • Project Overview: We are at the very beginning of looking at community resilience strategies to help better prepare our social infrastructure for future natural disasters in our area. Recent years have shown that, as formal systems become overwhelmed during disasters, local communities are often the first to step in and provide vital support. A growing body of research evidence, as well as extensive community knowledge on the ground, demonstrates that local community led disaster resilience building enhances more general resilience, which is critical as we navigate the increasing impacts of climate change. It's the social infrastructure side of the response that can have the biggest impact in this regard. 

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  • The two models being discussed are a CNR or a CRT which would be determined by discussion with stakeholders eg. DSC:

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Community Resilience Network (CRN) - Most likely from initial discussions.

A CRN is a collaborative assembly of local organisations and stakeholders dedicated to bolstering community resilience against emergencies and disasters. For instance, the Singleton Community Resilience Network supports the Local Emergency Management Committee and Singleton Council by focusing on human and social well-being during disaster resilience and recovery efforts. Source: Singleton Council. See also Narrabri Council.

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Community-led Resilience Team (CRT)

A CRT is a grassroots initiative led by community members to enhance local preparedness and response capabilities. These teams function as communication networks within the community, disseminating emergency preparedness information and collaborating with emergency services to raise awareness of local disaster risks. The Australian Red Cross supports the formation of CRTs to empower communities in disaster planning. Source: Red Cross Australia

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  • Guardrails: To respect existing processes and look to support them without introducing risk. The biggest gap relates to expectations around communication. So we would be looking to provide energy towards sharing information from the proper channels and to support the community to act on their personal responsibilities. 

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  • Phase: Assess. Gathering information that has already been put together in the wider district and pulling all the different subject matter experts and interested parties together. We'll then move on the research phase. 

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  • Involved Parties: Dungog Shire Council (in principal support). More towns and individuals very welcome!

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  • Scope: Open to heavy collaboration from all towns within Dungog Shire. Since Emergency Response Plans (EMPLANs) are council specific, we will limit it primarily to the Dungog Shire, but share wins/challenges and understand how the Dungog Shire and surrounding council plans overlap and interplay.

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  • Objectives:

    • Start Building Connections: Initiate conversations and build relationships with Council, community members, local organisations, and government agencies to explore how we can work together to improve disaster preparedness and response. Respecting and enhancing the existing frameworks is key.

    • Capture Local Knowledge: Begin documenting the local knowledge, experience, and existing informal networks that have been critical in past disaster responses to ensure these resources are preserved and shared.

    • Develop a Strategic Plan: Lay the groundwork for creating a comprehensive, community-led disaster plan that leverages local strengths and provides a clear pathway for action in future emergencies.

    • Increase Awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of community-led disaster preparation and the role each person can play in making our area more resilient.

    • Start Small, Think Big: While we’re just getting started, our long-term goal is to create a sustainable, self-organised network that works alongside formal emergency services to reduce disaster risk and build a safer future for all. Starting with more people knowing First Aid would be great!

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  • Community Consultation: There will soon be a social media call out for subject matter experts and/or groups/individuals who are especially passionate about this subject to join once we have aligned with key stakeholders (notably Council). Further consultation to be defined in next phases.

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  • Timeline: milestones yet to be defined.​ First meeting with DSC was 03.12.2024. Follow up dates to be defined in Q1 2025.

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  • How to Get Involved: If you have specialised knowledge in this space and/or you're passionate about it, we would love for you to get involved. Contact hello@twinrivers.au.

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Helpful links

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Courses

 

Government Links

 

Acronyms​

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Non-Government Sites/Research Findings​

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Decent Examples (to compare with the Dungog EMPLAN)

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Mapping

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General Rural Resiliency & Disaster Planning

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Mental Health

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Related Grants

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Paterson - Vacy Branch (2).png
SEI Director Professor David Schlosberg notes the unique nature of the findings:
 
“It has long been known that social cohesion is central to disaster survival and recovery, but this work has illustrated how specific pre-existing networks stepped up and grew in the midst of fires and floods, and how community resilience organisations have worked to develop and formalise the social infrastructure needed in the face of ongoing climate-change induced emergencies.”
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