A new set of draft guidelines that will assist councils to develop localised Disaster Adaptation Plans (DAPs) that reduce the risk and impact of climate related hazards and help communities recover faster are now out for community consultation.
Disaster Adaptation Plans are a key pillar of the State Disaster Mitigation Plan, which was launched by the NSW Government in February 2024, and provide the roadmap for reducing risk.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority is leading the development of the draft guidelines, which propose that DAPs are shaped locally, coordinated regionally and facilitated by the state.
The guidelines also recognise the role of collaboration and engagement with stakeholders from a variety of sectors when developing DAPs, including local councils, community, the insurance and banking industries and private businesses.
The consultation period provides the opportunity for feedback on the draft guidelines before they are introduced formally in late 2024. The consultation period starts on Monday 1 July and closes on Friday 23 August.
For more information on DAPs, visit the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"We're shifting the dial on how we address disasters, focusing on prevention, by making planning decisions that do not put people in harm's way.
"Historically, the state's ability to prevent and prepare for disasters hasn't worked as there has been only three per cent of funding spent on prevention and 97 per cent spent after an event.
"But we know that every dollar we invest in better preparing communities reduces future costs and will help make communities more resilient.
"And to make that happen, we need to work collaboratively across all levels of government and closely with the community to help address these challenges and reduce our risk."
Minister Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Successive years of Natural Disaster Declarations have highlighted the need for NSW to meet the challenges of the future, by working with local communities to identify ways to better address natural hazards.
"The increasing risk of natural disasters also increases pressure on our emergency services staff and volunteers, who are responding to these events to keep communities safe. These plans will help to manage that risk by identifying opportunities to reduce the impact of disasters before they occur.
"These guidelines are an important first step towards the development of DAPs, which will help reduce the risk to human life and make communities stronger."
Acting CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon said:
"The NSW Reconstruction Authority is the first entity of its kind in NSW with the dual responsibility of proactively reducing the impact of future disasters before they happen, as well as recovering communities after a disaster.
"These guidelines are an important first step towards the development of DAPs, which will reduce the risk to human life and make communities stronger."
