We have officially kicked off all four sub-projects of our Disaster Risk Reduction program, funded under the NSW Government’s Disaster Risk Reduction Fund. This program aims to help reduce regional disaster risk through early action and place-based collaboration in our region.

See below for an update on each of the four sub-projects:

Regional Support and Capacity Building

• Resilience IP&R template wording is currently being drafted and will be available for council feedback during September
• Resilience Games – we are expecting to engage a consultant before the end of August to investigate potential options and opportunities for resource sharing between councils during and after a disaster
• Needs Analysis – this is a joint NSW Joint Organisation project. We will be engaging a consultant to complete local and regional disaster risks reduction needs analyses and opportunities reports for the Hunter region and other Joint Organisation regions

If you are interested in being involved or understanding more about any of this work, please reach out to Anna Flack, annaf@hunterjo.com.au

Disaster Waste Management and Resource Recovery Preparedness

Phase one of this project will analyse and map current disaster waste material flows in the region to understand the region’s capability and capacity to appropriately deal with disaster waste. It will also identify disaster risks and impacts on waste management services and infrastructure and processes to mitigate and handle those risks.

A Disaster Waste and Resource Recovery Working Group has been established to guide this project. If you are interested in joining this working group, please contact Susan MacDonald at susanm@hunterjo.com.au or call 0459 928 799

Regional Transport and Connectivity Vulnerability Assessment

This project aims to identify the impacts of natural disasters on transport networks and connectivity, and the opportunities for improving regional transport vulnerability and connectivity during and after a disaster. We are currently working on a scope in collaboration with seven NSW Joint Organisations and Transport for NSW. We will be reaching out to our key Council contacts for feedback.

Consultation has commenced with Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Singleton, and Port Stephens. If you want to be involved, please reach out to Janine Chandler at janinec@hunterjo.com.au

Simtables for Multi-Hazard Disaster Engagement

Since May, the following Simtable activities have been delivered:

• Six community workshops/events
• Five demonstrations/training sessions
• Three loans to RFS brigades

One of the Simtables is currently on a long-term loan to MidCoast Council, who are using the tool as part of their Bushfire Preparedness Program.

Flood mapping of the region is now available for use on the Simtable, covering all eleven participating LGAs and complementing the data from existing flood studies. This includes depths and extents.

We will be contacting councils directly to discuss opportunities with the Simtable; however, if you would like to get involved or find out more, please contact Chris Dart on chrisd@hunterjo.com.au