Natural disaster response plans enhance resilience
Biodiversity and agricultural assets will be better equipped to respond to and recover from extreme weather events and biosecurity threats following the release of comprehensive emergency management plans by Tasmania’s three NRM bodies.
At the request of the Australian Government, NRM North, NRM South and Cradle Coast NRM have each prepared Biodiversity and Agricultural Natural Capital Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Plans.
Tailored to each of Tasmania’s NRM regions, the plans are the first of their kind and were developed with extensive stakeholder and expert input. The plans aim to enhance resilience and safeguard natural assets in the event of emergencies such as floods and bushfires, and cases where flora and fauna are faced with threats to biosecurity.
The plans identify areas for action, knowledge and information gaps, and opportunities to enhance stakeholder collaboration. By identifying and assessing risks to priority biodiversity and agricultural assets within each region, the plans will strengthen stakeholder capabilities, capacity building, and strategic actions, alongside existing emergency management and recovery frameworks.
NRM South CEO Nepelle Crane said the plans are comprehensive in their long-term approach to natural disasters.
“Through these plans, our long-term goal is to ensure that natural value priorities are part of all stages of emergency management (planning, response and recovery) along with human safety and infrastructure.”
The northern Tasmanian region is home to unique natural assets. Picture: St John Pound.
NRM North Acting CEO Jenni Kew said the strategic plans consider not only the environmental impact of extreme weather events and biosecurity threats, but the financial liability as well.
“Investing in robust emergency preparedness frameworks not only enhances the resilience of Tasmania’s valuable ecosystems, but also lowers long-term recovery and restoration costs, which strengthens regional economies, particularly in the tourism and agriculture sectors.”
Cradle Coast NRM Manager Bonnie Bonneville said the plans will help safeguard the region’s natural and agricultural assets.
“These plans aim to mitigate the risk and minimise the damage to our region’s biodiversity assets and agricultural landscapes so they can recover quickly and sustainably from natural disasters. Collaboration across all stakeholders has been key to their development.”
NRM South, NRM North and Cradle Coast NRM would like to thank the stakeholders who supported the development of the plans and look forward to progressing strategic work stemming from the plans in the future.
The plans are now available on each NRM organisation’s website.
https://nrmsouth.org.au/project/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery-plan/
https://nrmnorth.org.au/about-us/emergency-plan
https://cradlecoast.com/projects/emergency-preparedness-and-response-project/
These projects are funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by NRM South, NRM North and Cradle Coast NRM, as members of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.