Following the priorities set in Australia's Disability Strategy

Dealing with disasters can be a difficult time for all those affected. The complexities added for the 1 in 6 Australians living with disability can be profound.

As part of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (the Strategy), the Emergency Management – Targeted Action Plan outlines priority actions for the disaster management sector.

Developing the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Program

In response, NEMA has developed a Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Program. The Program was awarded funding of $1 million from the Disaster Risk Reduction Package (DRRP) to improve national capability in policy guidance and resource development for more disability inclusive disaster management.

NEMA has engaged the University of Sydney Centre for Disability Research and Policy to develop National DIDRR Guiding Principles and Standards for disability inclusive disaster arrangements and a toolkit to operationalise planning and practices.

Peter Giugni, Director for Social Policy at NEMA, says this work will help make a real difference for community members with disability.

“Emergency responders, recovery workers, planning and preparedness officers – all of these people will be better informed by these guidelines. This will ensure that people with disability are better considered and supported throughout the disaster continuum.” said Peter.

“That could look like ensuring that people with disability have the support to enact their personal emergency plans and that suitably accessible facilities, services and transport systems are available in a disaster situation and right through the recovery process. We also hope these guidelines will better define responsibilities – who should be the lead for ensuring disability-appropriate services and facilities are in place in disaster response and recovery.”  

Collaborating with the University of Sydney Centre for Disability Research and Policy

A phased approach will ensure appropriate planning and consultation has taken place, with phase one involving a scoping study undertaken by the University of Sydney Centre for Disability Research and Policy. The scoping study provides an overview of existing good practices, highlights gaps, and guides how the disaster management sector may more holistically support people with disability.

Associate Professor Michelle Villeneuve of the University of Sydney Centre for Disability Research and Policy said “This project is an important and exciting opportunity to extend our approach to working in partnership with people with disability and the services that support them. 45% of the team leading this work has lived experience of disability or chronic illness which provides valuable insight into the co-production of the National Guiding Principles and standards for practice.”

The next phase will consist of workshops, bringing together States, Territories and priority groups simultaneously to assess the current situation, with outcomes feeding into the development of the Guiding Principles and Standards, resulting in a national approach to supporting people with disability through disasters.

“Having a nationally consistent approach, that has been informed by people who understand the challenges involved, will be a game changer in Australia’s disaster risk reduction practices.” confirmed Peter.

We know that people with disability need assistance with preparing their properties for disaster. We know that people with disability need assistance leaving home in response to a disaster. We need to ensure we have  consistent, national guidelines in place to support all Australians living with disabilities through disasters.

In the face of increased bushfire risks due to warmer weather and dry conditions, communities across Australia are gearing up to confront the challenges of this higher risk weather season.

With a history of bushfires and other natural hazards, the Rockhampton Region understands the importance of disaster preparedness. Its commitment goes beyond safeguarding human lives; it also extends to the well-being of animal residents at the Rockhampton Zoo.

Investing in Rockhampton Zoo disaster preparation

In November 2018 the Rockhampton region experienced a catastrophic bushfire that had the potential to devastate a large portion of the community. Over 1.4 million hectares were burnt out during the fires, with 17 dwellings, 72 sheds and 28 vehicles sustaining damage across Central Queensland.

While the region is no stranger to natural hazards, the 2018 bushfire saw a need to evacuate residents at a scale the region had not previously experienced. Through the coordination of these evacuations, a risk was identified for the animal residents and infrastructure of Rockhampton Zoo. Not only is the location loved by locals, but it is also a tourism hotspot that supports the region’s economy.

Through a $512,000 grant from the Australian Government's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, the Rockhampton Zoo has been able to implement essential safety measures to protect its animals and staff.

For creatures great and small

During a tour led by Tony Williams, the Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council and Liz Bellward, the Zoo's Director, we learned about the impactful improvements made possible by the grant.

Emergency evacuation and management plans have been put in place for the animals.

Specially designed crates have been created to assist with transporting animals of all sizes.

The Zoo now has a motorised cart and new concrete pathways to ensure smoother and quicker evacuations under pressure.

“Through the Black Summer Bushfire grant, we’ve seen benefits not only to our facilities, but it’s also giving peace of mind to our communities that we have the capabilities to support them in times of need,” Mayor Williams said.

To support bushfire preparedness, irrigation systems have been installed and upgraded across the zoo to saturate in the event of a bushfire. These systems have been installed to focus on the enclosures of the animals we can’t evacuate such as Chimpanzees, Cassowaries, Kangaroos and more.

These strategic upgrades not only enhance the Zoo's readiness for emergencies but also provide the Rockhampton community with invaluable peace of mind, knowing that proactive measures are in place.

The Rockhampton Zoo Bushfire Resilience Project is one of five grants provided to the Rockhampton Regional Council under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grant program. Other grants included supporting the introduction of a Bushfire Resilience Officer, replacing a generator at Rockhampton City Hall, increasing capacity for firefighting response and an emergency services staging area upgrade.