After a disaster, the faster communities recover the faster people can continue their lives. Businesses can open again, and local economies and social networks can re-establish and rebuild. We have been working with Disaster Relief Australia to provide relief and recovery support to Australian communities following a disaster.

Working with Disaster Relief Australia

Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), established in 2016, aims to provide immediate, medium, and long-term recovery assistance to communities affected by disasters. Instead of relying solely on the Australian Defence Force (ADF), who have previously supported disasters, DRA utilises the skills and experience of its volunteers, including serving and former ADF personnel, emergency response specialists, and civilians to respond.

DRA’s first recovery operation saw volunteers deployed to Proserpine in Far North Queensland after Tropical Cyclone Debbie in April 2017. Over three weeks, 62 volunteers helped the Proserpine community recover. Through this experience it became clear this kind of work was an ideal way to engage the skills and experience of military veterans.

Operation Centaur assisting South East Queensland communities

NEMA deployed Disaster Relief Australia to lead recovery efforts after the Gold Coast storms in December 2023, where heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds caused significant damage.

This deployment was the first time non-ADF personnel were the primary response. Volunteers have been working in Logan City, Scenic Rim and City of Gold Coast Local Government Areas to support recovery since 2 January 2024.

Operation Baird supporting Far North Queensland recovery

Additionally, Disaster Relief Australia was tasked with supporting the recovery of Far North Queensland after extreme flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Operation Baird provided damage and impact assessments, route clearance, property access measures and debris removal to the community since the deployment began on 12 January 2024. In describing the response of DRA members, Ben Lesslie, mission commander leading the recovery operation in the three communities said, “We could be here for weeks or months, and that provides motivation to our members that we’re here to help, and we’ve got a big job ahead of us.”

Australian Government funding supporting Disaster Relief Australia

The Australian Government, through NEMA, supports DRA's work with a commitment of $38.3 million over four years, from 2022-23. This funding has allowed Disaster Relief Australia to support more volunteers and cover their engagement, training, equipment, and deployments.

The Commonwealth funding directly supports the independent findings of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review. This review recommended using the ADF as a last resort when supporting communities during and following disasters. NEMA’s commitment to DRA gives the ADF the ability to focus on its core mission and provides DRA volunteers the opportunity to use their skills and experience to support Australian communities in times of need.

The weather events in Queensland in December 2023 and January 2024 caused significant damage, with strong winds, heavy rains, and widespread flooding. Months on, communities in Far North Queensland now face the challenge of dealing with the aftermath and starting to rebuild their lives and homes. To help with the recovery, the National Emergency Management Agency appointed a Commonwealth Recovery Liaison Officer.  
 

The role of the Commonwealth Recovery Liaison Officer 

Michelle Lees was appointed by NEMA as the Commonwealth Recovery Liaison Officer in January 2024 to support recovery efforts.  

Michelle has extensive experience in providing support to communities including leading the former Department of Human Services response to the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and Services Australia’s response to the 2021-22 Queensland and 2022 New South Wales Floods.  

“It’s a great privilege to have been appointed as the Commonwealth’s Recovery Liaison Officer for Queensland recovery, and being given the opportunity to assist with managing and coordinating solutions for the challenges communities face as they rebuild.” 

“My role has involved providing important information related to the local and regional situation, impacts, risks, progress and resources that we can use to help us make decisions that create positive outcomes for those affected,” said Michelle. 
 

Supporting State and Local Governments 

With the Queensland Government supporting Local Governments to lead the recovery efforts in North Queensland, Michelle has been working to identify additional supports from the Commonwealth for affected regions.  

Working closely with Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), Michelle works across all levels of government, industry, business and community to integrate and coordinate Commonwealth support for recovery operations across impacted regions.  

Michelle’s role as CRLO includes identifying potential support options to assist public, private, and community organisations involved in recovery. She also collaborates with QRA and other Queensland Government Departments on medium to longer term integrated recovery planning.  

Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said “I have been on the ground in affected communities and experienced firsthand the devastation that Queenslanders have gone through and will continue to go through as we focus on recovery.” 

“We know that the recovery from these events will take time and there is a massive effort from all levels of government to provide as much support as we can.”