When floods and fires hit the Northern Rivers, it’s locals who step up first. But how do we make sure that community-led disaster responses actually work, and keep working?
That’s the question UCRH researcher Rebecca McNaught set out to answer in a new study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. Rebecca is the lead author of the research, which dives into how people across seven local government areas in the Northern Rivers have worked together to tackle climate change and disaster recovery.
The study looks at real-life experiences, from interviews, events, and even Rebecca’s own research diary, and finds that collaboration isn’t just a nice idea. It’s essential. But it’s also messy, challenging, and full of lessons.
Three big takeaways?
- We need better access to local, practical info, not just big-picture climate data.
- We need to value community knowledge (yes, locals do know what they’re talking about).
- And we need to stop reacting and start planning ahead.
This research shows that when communities lead, and when governments and organisations listen, we get stronger, smarter responses to disasters. It’s a roadmap for building resilience, not just in the Northern Rivers, but across Australia.
