As Queenslanders turn their hand to preparations for the upcoming natural disaster season, Country to Coast, QLD and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) are celebrating a $3.8 million boost for the three-year Resilient Care Program, received from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through the Disaster Ready Fund.
Country to Coast, QLD Chief Executive Julie Sturgess said the Resilient Care Program aims to reduce the negative health impacts of natural disasters in four local government areas across Wide Bay and Central Queensland. These areas were chosen for their unique community strengths and the high prevalence of natural disasters, with the program leveraging the communities' strong networks, adaptability, and local knowledge to boost resilience. By integrating community-led primary health support into existing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery phases, the program ensures that communities are at the centre of shaping their climate-readiness journey.
‘Residents in the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, and Livingstone areas are no stranger to natural disasters and have shown incredible strength in recent years through repeated disaster events, including tropical cyclones, widespread flooding and devastating bushfires,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘The impacts of these events on property and infrastructure are well known, but many people also face significant disruption to their health due to natural disasters, particularly for vulnerable populations whose health is already compromised or who face barriers in accessing healthcare services.
‘Building community connections is at the core of the Resilient Care Program, as communities with strong social connections cope better with the shocks and stresses of extreme events and recover more quickly, which supports better health outcomes overall,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘Over the next three years, Resilient Care will tap into under-utilised community resources, such as neighbourhood centres, community groups, local businesses, and primary health providers such as GPs and pharmacies, to integrate these skills and assets into existing disaster management efforts.
ABV Chief Executive Officer Liz Mackinlay said ABV was delighted to partner with Country to Coast, QLD, and bring their wealth of experience in community-led disaster resilience building.
‘Our team is ready to facilitate important conversations and bring specialised support from our network of business volunteers alongside community projects in Queensland,’ said Ms McKinlay.
As the lead agency for Resilient Care, Country to Coast, QLD will build on existing partnerships with community leaders and organisations, local governments, health and hospital services, primary healthcare providers, and emergency services in the target local government areas to develop a whole-of-community response.
Mr Sturgess said project partners will collaborate in early 2025 to facilitate a community-led health resilience assessment, identifying specific actions that strengthen a local response to extreme events.
‘While we can’t predict specific priorities that any community will choose, potential actions could include a community-led senior buddy system, where older adults are paired with younger, more physically capable individuals who can help them during emergencies; or cultural competency training for emergency responders and healthcare professionals to promote cultural sensitivity during a disaster response,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘Other examples could be training in mental health first aid for community groups, so they can better support those struggling with the impacts of disaster events, or financial literacy programs to help individuals and families better prepare for and recover from financial challenges associated with disasters,’ said Ms Sturgess.
‘The key thing is that this is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. We are excited to tap into local knowledge and innovation and to support each community in creating their own tailored resilience-building approach,’ said Ms Sturgess.
Ms Sturgess said the insights and lessons learned from Resilient Care would be available to the rest of the country, providing a blueprint for other agencies and community organisations to better protect their communities in the face of climate change impacts.
‘In the interim, though, as we approach the summer natural disaster season, I urge all residents to make sure they are well-prepared with a household emergency plan, emergency kit and important medications within reach,’ said Ms Sturgess.
Visit Get Ready Queensland at www.getready.qld.gov.au for more information about preparing for natural disasters.
