Blue Mountains News

The program, to be administered by Blue Mountains City Council with partners, will reduce disaster risk and pioneer systemic change through:

• Testing feasibility of a range of sustainable community water management initiatives that reduce disaster risk;
• Establishing neighbourhood communication platforms to grow collaboration, link agencies and communities and share solutions that reduce disaster risk; and
• Co-designing place-based research and learning to increase the adaptive capacity of communities in facing future disaster risks.

“Blue Mountains City Council is delighted to have been awarded this funding with partners, so we can support our communities to be better connected and prepared in the face of natural disasters,” Blue Mountains Planetary Health Advisory Committee Chair, Cr Mick Fell, said.

Dr Rosemary Dillon, CEO of Blue Mountains City Council, said: “It is critical that we work with our communities on solutions that reduce disaster risk, restore planetary health locally and help us manage water in times of drought and extreme wet weather events. The Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative is excited to be working on this in partnership with the Bioregional Collaboration.”

Partners in the grant program include Blue Mountains City Council, Lithgow City Council, Western Sydney University's Lithgow Transformation Hub, the Sustainability Workshop and Mountains Community Resource Network.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the Planetary Health had a key role in disaster resilience and preparedness.

“I know that some of the most important disaster preparation is going to be done at a local level, where the unique needs of each community can be considered,” Ms Templeman said. “And that will then provide models for other communities to adapt or to be scaled up.

“This is a great example of three tiers of government partnering to achieve the best community outcome.”

The projects have been granted by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund, which is administered by the New South Wales Reconstruction Authority and funded by both the State and Federal Government.

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle MP, added: “It is really exciting to see the Planetary Health initiative receive this grant funding! Exploring ways to combat climate change, particularly in relation to disaster preparedness, is critical to a healthier and more sustainable way of living for our communities.”

Lithgow Transformation Hub Project Support Officer Ann Niddrie said: “Western Sydney University’sMaldhan Ngurr Ngurra - Lithgow Transformation Hub is pleased to be partnering with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative as part of its Disaster Risk Reduction Fund grant. The sharing of stories and resources provides a positive, proactive approach to build the community’s capacity to reduce the risk of future disasters.”