Community spirit in the region of Augusta-Margaret River is what has kept this vibrant tourism spot going despite continuing natural hazard events and a global pandemic. This community really pulls together before, during and after disasters and is making sure it is ready for the next one.

Six Point Plan for Preparation in Margaret River

Stuart Hicks, a local in the Margaret River region, is Chair of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association Board Members (MRBTA). He also has over 40 years of experience in planning policy, management and reform. He brings this knowledge and experience as one of the community members who worked to develop the Bold Six Point Plan for recovery

The plan pulls together thoughts, ideas and recommendations that are imperative to better prepare for the future. This includes lived experiences and examples of initiatives that have been effective in past disasters. 

Stuart has said that the Six Point Plan includes the management of resources, the committee working together and learning from First Nations peoples.

“Disasters can affect one part of the community much more intensely than some other part, but once it’s happened to your neighbour, it happens to you,” said Stuart.

Community pulling together for greater resilience.

Another committed community member is President of the Augusta Country Women’s Association, Leanne Bamford. She lives, works and volunteers in the Augusta community. Leanne is no stranger to hardship herself. As a small business owner of a beauty salon, Leanne experienced significant financial loss as a fallout from the pandemic. Then 12 months ago right before Christmas, the town was faced with evacuation due to bushfire.

Despite her personal experience, Leanne and the Augusta Country Women’s Association helped the community during COVID with ‘care packages’. These packages are coordinated with the local IGA and contain canned non-perishable foods and goodies to help people through isolation.

Leanne says that the community has a significant aging population, a lot of single mothers, and vulnerable youth but is very resilient. 

“I heard about people who could really benefit from care packages and it was something we could do as we were also concerned about people’s mental health during these times,” Leanne said.

“August as a small community has really pulled together and now we head towards our fire season, I really do feel that we have a resilient community ready for anything.”

Future focus

A key focus of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is linking all parts of the community with our range of programs that are designed to reduce the impact of natural hazards and increase resilience right around the country.

NEMA has staff in all Australian states and territories that work in partnership with governments to support disaster-affected communities to collectively build resilience, reduce risk and harm, and effectively respond to and recover from disasters.