Throughout Australia, communities continue to prepare and improve their disaster resilience, all while recovering from past emergencies.

Livingstone Shire Council in the heart of Queensland, has faced multiple disasters recently, including cyclones, bushfires, hailstorms, on top of the challenges brought by the pandemic. Tropical Cyclone Marcia (2015), The Caves bushfire (2018) and the Cobraball bushfires (2019) were particularly devastating.

Despite the challenges, the community has shown remarkable commitment to recovery. The Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program (BSBR) has provided the much-needed support and resources to strengthen the Livingstone Shire's disaster resilience.

Bolstering Livingstone Shire Bushfire Resilience 

The Council received grants totalling over $4.5 million for various projects, addressing immediate recovery needs and long-term community disaster resilience. 

The projects include employing a Bushfire Recovery and Resilience Officer and an Economic Development Officer for Disaster Recovery, as well as fleet equipment and upgrades to the Local Disaster Co-ordination Centre.

The Bushfire Recovery and Resilience Officer (BRRO) role has been pivotal in supporting the community and developing a comprehensive Bushfire Management Plan. Thanks to surveys and community engagement, such as the 'cuppa and a chat' sessions, the BRRO has a strong gauge on where people were at in their recovery and resilience-building journeys. "We've ensured that we've bridged the gap between recovery and prevention and preparedness in making the most important information for the community available," said Bushfire Resilience Officer Lyndie Scott.

Establishing a recovery hub and advancing disaster coordination technology

The Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program funding also supported such projects as repairing the car park at the Barmaryee Multi-Sports Precinct, which was damaged during the November 2019 bushfires, and improvements to Rural Fire Brigade accesses.

The funding has also enabled upgrades to the Livingstone Shire Local Disaster Coordination Centre, including an LED wall, microphones, video wall processing and control system. Telecommunications capabilities are being upgraded, including remote videoconferencing capabilities and a meeting room to support the Local Disaster Management Group.

In April, works began on the Station Community Recovery Hub, also supported by the funding. The Station Community Recovery Hub will provide a much-needed central gathering and coordination space to facilitate the setup of agile, rapid community support during disaster events.

The project will construct a large outdoor undercover area, provide electrical, water and sewer services to the historic railway building, and upgrade the internal building fit-out. The Local Disaster Management Group can activate the community recovery space following a disaster, as well as to host recovery events during the year.

The project includes site earthworks and landscaping, as well as the implementation of formal public parking. In addition, studies required to activate the site will also be delivered.

Livingstone Shire's approach to disaster recovery is a testament to the community's strength and collaborative spirit. The initiatives have fostered an environment where the Council is "keen to listen, rather than just tell us what we need," as described by volunteer Kerryn McClintock.

Livingstone Shire Council continues its journey of recovery and resilience building. The dedicated efforts of staff, volunteers, and community members are an example of what a community can achieve when united by shared goals and mutual support.

 

A National Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker (LAT) now forms part of Australia’s permanent aerial firefighting fleet, leaving us equipped with the largest fleet of water-bombing aircraft in Australia to date.

Using Australia’s National Large Air Tanker to respond to bushfire

This aircraft is the National LAT funded by the Australian Government. This Boeing 737 Fireliner is now one of 6 LATs that are positioned around the country, ready to be deployed at any time to fight fires from above.

The National LAT can carry up to 15,000 litres of water or retardant and can be refilled in 10 minutes, meaning it can be up and on its way to a drop at short notice.

The National LAT is mainly used to drop retardant ahead of the fire. As the fire burns into the coated area, a chemical reaction occurs, retarding fire behaviour and in turn, helping the crews on the ground to regain control.

“Our job is to get retardant on the ground, which slows the fire down and allows the people on the ground to actually put the fire out,” said John Gallaher, a LAT Pilot.

Improving national aerial firefighting capabilities

Australia is continuing to expand on its aerial firefighting capabilities with the continuing expansion of its fleet, managed by the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC).

The NAFC is funded jointly from the Australian and state and territory governments. The Australian Government provides $31 million dollars a year to the NAFC to coordinate and procure the fleet of over 500 aircraft.

The fleet consists of a wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, which are selected for tasks based on their suitability and cost effectiveness.

A considerable effort goes into the planning and distribution of firefighting aircraft across the country, ensuring a well spread fleet that is ready to be called on at any time.

“Today is really important in terms of how the NEMA works so well with the states to ensure we have the adequate capabilities in order to deal with any crisis,” said Brendan Moon, Coordinator-General, NEMA.

Responding to the Royal Commission recommendations

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (Royal Commission) was established in February 2020 in response to the Black Summer Bushfires. One of the recommendations from the Royal Commission was centred around increasing Australia’s aerial firefighting capability.

The recommendations focussed on the establishment, research and development of the country’s aerial firefighting capabilities. The addition of the LAT to the fleet continues to build on the implementation of this recommendation.

As part of this, the NAFC has been awarded an Australian Government grant to investigate the effectiveness of aerial firefighting. The NAFC are working with Natural Hazards Research Australia and states and territories to investigate various types of aircraft and their effectiveness in different situations. Jurisdictions will use the information gathered to update the National Aerial Firefighting Strategy. 

This work demonstrates the Australian Government’s continued commitment to delivery on the recommendations that came out of the Royal Commission.

The Fitzroy River Bridge has been officially re-opened less than a year after it was destroyed in the devastating floods of December 2022 – January 2023.

The bridge, which is the main route for travel and freight between the East and West Kimberley region, has now been re-built six times stronger than the old bridge. It contains twice the amount of steel and concrete piles that have been driven twice as deep into the riverbed, leaving the region more resilient to future disasters.

Funding provides community opportunities

With joint funding from the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the bridge was re-built at lightning speed, with completion occurring nearly six months ahead of schedule.

The unprecedented rate of progress was made possible due to high levels of collaboration with suppliers and contractors to ensure components, such as beams, bearings and concrete were made available when and where they were needed and installed efficiently and safely.

Over 240 locals were employed on the project, with a quarter of total construction hours attributed to Aboriginal people. 26 Aboriginal-owned businesses were awarded contracts associated with the re-build.

Fitzroy River Bridge tourism and freight access

Over the past year the delivery of goods and essential supplies have been maintained using low level crossings. Now, heading into this high risk weather season, the community can be reassured that they will have access to essential goods via the new bridge if the river levels rise.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, the Hon Murray Watt said "It's great that this project has been built with meaningful input and support from the local Indigenous community, and I congratulate all those involved."

Image supplied by Main Roads Western Australia.