Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan

Planning for future disasters in the Northern Rivers

The Northern Rivers region has one of the highest natural hazard risk profiles in NSW, regularly experiencing floods, storms, bushfires, and coastal erosion. The recent flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred serves as a reminder of the urgency of proactive disaster planning, with climate change projected to intensify future disasters.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is developing the state's first multi-hazard Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) to identify multiple actions to reduce disaster risk in the Northern Rivers. The DAP aims to reduce risk where we can and adapt where we can’t.

What will the Northern Rivers DAP include

Developing a DAP is an in-depth process. Therefore, we will deliver a foundation DAP as a first step. This will include:

• A regional risk profile focussed on the 9 hazards in the region, including an assessment of how climate change and population growth will impact future disasters.
• Early actions that have been identified for implementation. These may include, for example, levee and waterway maintenance works, cultural burning and landscape restoration programs, community awareness and preparedness and social cohesion.

A full DAP will then be delivered following an options assessment process. Actions in the full DAP may include land use planning changes, mitigation infrastructure solutions, nature-based measures, measures to improve resilience of infrastructure, and managed relocation.

The Northern Rivers DAP will be developed in partnership with all levels of government, communities, emergency services, industry and businesses, and technical specialists. It will build on existing hazard-specific plans, strategies, research and data insights from partners including  CSIRO’s Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative. 

Current engagement activities

Community input is vital to the success of a DAP. With more than 310,000 residents, the Northern Rivers region covers seven local government areas—Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Tweed, and Richmond Valley. We are seeking input and feedback from communities across the region throughout the development of the DAP.

Ongoing and past engagement activities

• Our series of 8 short-films Adaptation Stories has completed its tour around the Northern Rivers. In collaboration with Living Lab Northern Rivers, we took these local stories of adaptation and resilience to Kyogle, Woodburn, Byron Bay, Grafton, Lismore, Uki and Ballina. Stay tuned as Adaptation Stories will be available to watch online soon.
• We have wrapped up our series of ‘What Matters Most’ values workshops, which have been delivered across the region in partnership with Living Lab Northern Rivers. Check back soon for updates on how this valuable information will help shape the DAP.
• Our online community values survey closed on Sunday 26 October. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback through the survey. Stay tuned for more updates on the DAP, and for other ways to get involved and have your say.
• We are also working with councils, community service organisations and local networks to identify key social assets in Northern Rivers and their important role in helping to prepare communities for future disasters.