Lismore and Northern Rivers residents are encouraged to put in an Expression of Interest to be on a new community panel and help shape the state's first multi-hazard regional Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) to reduce the risk and impact of future disasters.

The Northern Rivers region has one of the highest flood risk profiles in the country, identified in the State Disaster Mitigation Plan (SDMP), and its susceptibility to other natural hazards, including bushfires, storms, heatwaves, and coastal erosion, means disaster preparedness and adaptation are critical.

The DAP aims to reduce risks from these natural hazards and to help communities adapt where the change or impact is unavoidable.

DAPs are a key feature of NSW’s first SDMP. The state-wide plan is a long-term, ambitious plan that aims to shift funding and efforts from disaster response to proactive mitigation and adaptation, with the goal of creating safer and more resilient communities. 

The creation of a DAP is being led by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) in collaboration with community members, local councils, Aboriginal landowners, government agencies, industry and experts.

It will build on lessons learnt, local knowledge and existing plans.

DAPs were a key recommendation of the 2022 Independent Flood Inquiry, which called for effective and cross-government engagement to adapt to disaster risk across the state. 

RA is keen for people who live or work in the Northern Rivers to share their thoughts, ideas and experience with disasters to help shape the DAP.

The community panel will include around 40 people. The RA is looking for people from different backgrounds, communities and life experience. The panel is expected to meet at least 4 times over 12 months. 

There will also be other ways people can get involved, including a range of online and in-person activities and events across the region. These include workshops, drop-in sessions, arts and education.

RA will also work closely with Bundjalung, Yaegl and Northern Gumbaynggirr peoples to make sure cultural knowledge and practices including traditional understandings of climate and resilience, are reflected in the DAP.

Residents have until 19 September to register their interest in joining the panel through the NSW Government’s Have Your Say platform.

Your contribution to the planning can build disaster-resilient communities into the future. 

For more information and to apply for the Northern Rivers DAP Community Reference Group, go to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/northern-rivers-dap.

For more information on the State Disaster Mitigation Plan, go to State Disaster Mitigation Plan | NSW Government.

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “Through the development of the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan - we’re not just doing disaster planning, but we are planning to mitigate where we can, adapt where we need to and continue to prosper and thrive.

“Our region has had its challenges over the last eight years since the Cyclone Debbie flood, and we have not only survived but thrived. The Disaster Adaptation Planning process will at last support us to do what we know needs doing to be better prepared to respond to whatever disruptions and disasters come our way.

“It’s essential that local knowledge and experience informs this work, so I encourage people to put themselves forward for the community reference group.

“Together, we can develop strategies and actions so that we’re better prepared for disasters, and that we can recover faster from them.”    

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said, “The risk of future disasters in the Northern Rivers is ever-present and needs to be taken seriously.

“Being informed will save lives – there’s no simple solution, but we are making sure people are as prepared as they can be.

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority wants to support communities in reducing risk. I encourage everyone across the Northern Rivers to get involved and share what they think their regional DAP should look like.”