A design for an amphibious dwelling and a community-led resilience initiative borne out of the Black Summer bushfires are among the NSW winners of the 2024 Resilient Australia Awards.
The awards were attended and presented by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib at Parliament House yesterday.
The NSW category of the Resilient Australia Awards recognises and promotes initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies, as climate change and population growth cause natural disasters become more frequent and severe.
Since 2019, NSW has seen 73 declared natural disasters, with 20,000 homes damaged in 2022 alone.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the state convenor of the 2024 Resilient Australia Awards and brought together a judging panel with experts in disaster and resilience from Multicultural NSW, Monash University, NCOSS, Service NSW and the Reconstruction Authority Preparedness division.
The NSW winners will go on to become finalists in the National Resilient Australia Awards, managed by the Australia Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR), which will be announced at Old Parliament House, Canberra in November. They include:
Resilient Australia Business Award:
Winner: Amphibode - an amphibious dwelling design: Out of flood disaster, a first of its kind amphibious dwelling which brings flood resilient accommodation to residential land lease communities and caravan parks was developed. The first dwelling was installed in April 2024 and Amphibode now has interest from the private and government sectors nationally.
Resilient Australia Community Award
Winner - Fire to Flourish: The Fire to Flourish program from Monash University addresses the funding gap felt by local bush fire affected communities by piloting a new model of holistic support for inclusive, community-led action.
Highly Commended - Multi-Hazard Resilience Ratings
Highly Commended - Medical Wings
Highly Commended - Community-Led Resilience and Recovery Initiative
Resilient Australia Government Award
Winner - Australia's first State Disaster Mitigation Plan:
The SDMP is the first state-based plan of its kind in Australia and outlines NSW's action plan to reduce the risk of natural hazards. It was endorsed by NSW Cabinet in December 2023, laying out a critical roadmap of state policy actions to reduce risk where we can and adapt where we can't.
Highly Commended - EICU - Celebrating 20 years of Multidisciplinary Support to Emergency Services, Government, and the Community
Please note, RA staff excused themselves from the judging of this category
Resilient Australia Local Government Award
Winner - Building Back Northern Rivers Guideline:
In 2022 the Northern Rivers encountered some of the worst flooding Australia has ever seen, significantly damaging or destroying 8,364 buildings. Navigating planning and development approval processes is difficult at the best of times - let alone after disaster and trauma. The Building Back Northern Rivers Guideline guides the local community with clear advice and expertise they need to make informed decisions to get them back on their feet
Highly Commended - Investing in Rural Community Futures Bega Valley - Resilience Connection and Place
Highly Commended - Resilient Sydney 2018-2024 - implementing a regional roadmap for resilience through collaboration
Resilient Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Award
Winner - Climate Ready North Coast: The Healthy North Coast's Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program builds on learnings from grant programs over the past four years, with over $5 million dollars of grant funds administered across the region. Its aim is to resource community-led, place-based initiatives that support disaster recovery and build the community's ability to face future cascading challenges. It ultimately aims to strengthens partnerships and community connectedness, enabling a responsive approach to local needs and contexts.
Resilient Australia School Award
Winner - Community-Led Resilience and Recovery Initiative: Lismore South Public School is continuing to make strides in meaningful programs to help its children during their path to recovery following the 2022 floods.
Resilient Australia Photography Award
Winner - Rolf Poole with his image 'Cool Night Burning - Scribbly Gum' - depicting prescribed burning of an asset protection zone Berowra Heights.
For more details about the awards and the recipients go to the RA's website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/about-us/awards.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate achievements that may otherwise go unrecognised and continue to inspire other groups to begin building greater disaster resilience within their communities.
"We received an outstanding number of submissions, and I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who took the time to share their innovations and hard work with us."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Congratulations to all our finalists, whose incredible efforts and dedication to making a difference in their communities have made a real difference.
"I have been fortunate to travel across many parts of the state and it's inspiring to see the innovative and important work being carried out in communities right around NSW. I would like to wish the state award winners well in the national finals."
