Outcomes

This project will develop an Emergency Resilience Plan, enabling councils to support their community in the event of a natural disaster.

This plan will include all the essential information and pathways for getting help. With this, if a natural disaster occurs, information can quickly be shared with the community for assistance.

The plan will include templates that can be populated with local information and shared across councils.

Background and purpose

In 2022-23 councils had to deal with the immediate impact of the Murray River floods.

They had to relocate residents who were forced to leave their homes, set up communication channels, assist the elderly and people with disabilities, bridge cultural gaps and protect indigenous sites.

While local councils are well-prepared for flood-related tasks, the recent flood event showed they struggled with the social and well-being demands in their communities.

Council staff received many pleas for help, information, and support, and the lack of clear referral pathways made this more difficult and painful.

This project will create a document for councils to use during natural disasters. This will help councils support their communities better in challenging times.

Who is this for?

This project is for local councils, particularly those working in emergency management, to help their community better deal with disasters.

How the project is being delivered

This project is being led by the Mid Murray Council. It will be delivered in distinct phases.

Phase 1: Recovery, Resilience, and Readiness Program

• build community resilience with referral pathways on how to seek help
• create a community wellbeing team to be a bridge between the community and government
• deliver processes to improve mental health and wellbeing
• develop a future disaster management plan based on data from recent flood events.

Phase 2: Community Led Disaster Resilience Workshops

• deliver workshops to improve council and community relations and build mental health
• promote garden exchanges for community-led recovery
• build resilience through community groups
• deliver more social events, mental health workshops, and local government engagement.

Phase 3: Building Resilience in the Community

• collaborate with local organisations to deliver services and support. These include counselling, trauma-informed yoga, plant donations and community breakfasts
• provide outreach services.

Phase 4: Disaster Preparedness Management Plan

• create an action plan for local councils for disaster preparedness
• encourage collaboration between councils to share data and strategies.

Phase 5: Communication Development Networks

• keep the community updated through email, newsletters, notice boards and social media
• share information on well-being, mental health, and flood recovery efforts.

Phase 6: Wellbeing & Landscape Management Project

• renew and replant the river region and community gardens
• build wellbeing groups and education to improve community connections.