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Operations

Disaster Relief Australia have built an incredible capability to provide unparalleled relief assistance across the full range of global natural disasters. We’re proud of our history and our accomplishments.

OPERATIONS

Operation Jensen

In Response to: 2023 Floods
Location: Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, Western Australia
Status: Ongoing

11 September 2023 –

Shire of Derby-West Kimberley short-term flood recovery operation

In January 2023, key infrastructure, homes, and businesses were destroyed and inundated when heavy rainfall from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie caused significant flooding in the Kimberley region with the Fitzroy River peaked at a record 15.81m. 

Fitzroy Crossing with a population of 400 was the main township in the affected region. The DRA team is onsite within the Shire to clear debris and work within the to assist the community, including residents and not-for-profit, with post-flood clean-up.

Operation Camilleri

In Response to: 2022 Floods
Location: Riverland, South Australia
Status: Complete

29 May 2023 – 13 July 2023

South Australian Flood Recovery

In December 2022, more than 4,000 properties in South Australia’s Riverland were impacted and inundated when floodwaters overwhelmed the Murray River. The area affected spanned from Murray Bridge to the Victorian border with significant damage to properties.

Our volunteers arrived in the area on 28 May at the request of the South Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet and Green Industries SA and as a contractor to Disaster Management Australia.

Our team will be onsite for a minimum of four weeks to clear debris and will work within the Mid Murray Council area to assist the community with post-flood clean-up.

Operation Carrington

In Response to: March 2023 Floods
Location: Burketown, Doomadgee, and Gregory, QLD
Status: Complete

22 April 2023 – 11 May 2023

Queensland Flood Recovery

Between 7 and 9 March 2023, 533mm of rain fell across the Nicholson, Gregory, and Leichardt River catchments in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This rainfall caused major flooding in the communities of Burketown, Doomadgee, and Gregory. More than 96 residents from across the area were evacuated.

Many of the residents have now returned to the area. Although the community has made some progress with the clean-up, the flooding caused significant damage to infrastructure and property.

At the request of Queensland Reconstruction Authority, National Emergency Management Agency and Burke Shire Council, DRA deployed a small team of experienced volunteers to assist with recovery tasks.

Operation Burton

In Response to: 2021 Storm activity
Location: Victorian Central Highlands
Status: Complete

17 April 2023 – 18 May 2023

Victorian Central Highlands Storm Recovery

In 2021, a severe storm event in Victoria’s Central Highlands caused thousands of trees to fall on properties throughout the area. Numerous private properties remain strewn with fallen trees, which began to dry and become hazardous.

The Victorian State Government via the Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) has provided funding to three councils, Hepburn Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Moorabool Shire Council to manage the clean-up program. This program was undertaken by DRA volunteers.

Operation Manaaki

In Response to: Floods and Cyclone
Location: Hawkes Bay, NEW ZEALAND
Status: Complete

Phase 1: 31 January 2023 – 11 April 2023
Phase 2: 18 June 2023 – 3 July 2023

Hawkes Bay Floods and Cyclone Recovery, New Zealand

In January 2023, significant flooding impacted Auckland and caused severe damage in infrastructure, homes, and communities on New Zealand’s North Island. Just as the flooding receded, New Zealand was again impacted by severe weather in the form of Cyclone Gabrielle. Again, communities were devastated, and 11 lives were lost. 

DRA’s New Zealand counterparts, Taskforce Kiwi called on us at short notice to assist with ongoing relief efforts, first for the floods and then cyclone clean up.

DRA deployed its first team on 31 January and remained on Operation for nine weeks.  

Operation Salway

In Response to: Black Summer Bushfires
Location: Bega Valley, NSW
Status: Complete

15 February – 20 April 2023

Bega Valley Shire Bushfire Recovery NSW

Operation Salway launched 15 February when DRA volunteers returned to the Bega Valley to help the communities of Yowrie and Windella, Verona, Upper Brogo, Quaama, and Cobargo continue their recovery from the Black Summer bushfires. 

In late 2019, six lives were lost, and more than 300 homes were destroyed when the Baja Forest Road Fire raced through the town of Cobargo and the surrounding areas. Operation Salway built on DRA’s initial Black Summer Bushfire operations, Operation Ryan in 2020, and Operation Corkhill in 2021. Unfortunately, significant COVID-19 restrictions forced DRA to cease its operation and return at a later date. 

 

Operation Simmonds

In Response to: Floods
Location: Forbes, NSW
Status: Complete

18 January – 2 March 2023

NSW Flood Recovery

In November 2022 more than 1000 residents in the regional NSW town of Forbes were evacuated to higher ground in preparation for its worst flood in 70 years. 

Disaster Relief Australia conducted a flood recovery operation in the Forbes, Parkes and Cabonne local government areas.

DRA’s work included general flood clean-up activities such as mucking out and gutting of flood affected properties, removal of both furniture and damaged wall linings, remedial clean-up measures, debris management and removal, chainsaw operations, fence line repairs, aerial damage assessments and spontaneous community volunteer management.

Operation Mactier

In Response to: Floods
Location: Victoria
Status: Complete

Phase 1: October – December 2022

Phase 2: 18 January – 2 March 2023 

VIC Flood Recovery

Following severe weather events across Victoria in October 2022, a number of communities in both regional and metropolitan areas of the state suffered extensive flood damage.

Once flood waters started to recede the areas of operation included the communities of Maribyrnong, Rochester, Shepparton and Echuca.

Phase 1 of Operation Mactier ran from October to December 2022, before volunteer teams returned on 18 January 2023 for six weeks.

Work included cleaning mud out of homes, mucking out and clearing debris, rubbish removal and general clean up.

 

Operation Riordan

In Response to: Floods
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW
Status: Complete

13 August to 25 September 2022 

Flood Recovery in NSW, Northern Rivers

Our disaster relief teams responded to the March catastrophic flooding in QLD and NSW with our biggest operation commitment to date, deploying 714 volunteers to respond to 526 request for assistance. As we paused operations to restock and repair, another catastrophic flood hit the NSW Northern Rivers region.

Operation Riordan launched on 13th August and focused on home and property repairs. The aim to help the community get safe, secure, and warm. The region has suffered relentlessly – our volunteers are motivated to get back to give a hand up where it’s needed most. We’re looking for motivated volunteers to bolster our numbers and are urging Australian’s everywhere to work alongside DRA members experienced in disaster recovery work.

Operation Sheean

In Response to: Cyclonic Winds
Location: TAS
Status: 21 July 22 –  21 Aug 22 COMPLETE

Cyclone Recovery NW coast of Tasmania

On June 11 2022, cyclonic winds exceeding 200km/h, impacted the Northwest Coast of Tasmania and in particular the Kentish LGA. Approximately 100 properties were severely impacted, extensively damaging bushland, farming land, residential and commercial infrastructure. DRA assisted in the recovery process.

Operation Kelliher

In Response to: Floods
Location: QLD & NSW
March – May 2022

Flood Recovery in QLD & NSW

Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) committed to deploying a veteran-led volunteer workforce to Queensland and New South Wales in response to catastrophic flooding. One of DRA’s biggest operation commitments to date. A mass call-out to the general public saw DRA’s highly trained veterans leading a mud army of volunteers.

As of 8th May 2022, Operation Kelliher deployed  714 volunteers, contributing over 25,767 volunteer hours, completing 526 requests for assistance which have saved the community over 1.4 million dollars.

Operation Traill

In Response to: Floods
Location: Cassilis and Coolah, NSW
26 Feb 22 – 13 Mar 22

Flood Recovery Cassilis and Coolah, NSW

Operation Traill was announced for the Upper Hunter Shire and surrounds in response to flooding at the end of November 2021. DRA  conducted a sustained operation in the area of Cassilis and Coolah, NSW, commencing late February. The response lasted 14 days.

Operation Chapple

In Response to: Covid
Location: South Australia
January – February 2022

Covid Logistics Support in South Australia

DRA worked alongside the SA Government and other selected agencies and community organisations to assist with logistics and Incident Management Team activity on the distribution of RAT kits to eligible SA residents through a series of drive-thru collection points.

Operation Thorpe

In Response to: Black Summer Bushfires
Location: Mallacoota VIC
26 Nov 21 – 12 Dec 2021

Black Summer Bushfire Recovery in Mallacoota

Nearly two years post Black Summer Fires, Mallacoota still required bushfire recovery. Scant recovery took place since the fires in part due to COVID preventive measures limiting disaster recovery activities. When restrictions eased, Disaster Relief Australia launched a short term operation to fell dangerous trees, clear fences of vegetation and debris and perform general clean-up work as required.

 

Operation Joynt

In Response to: Extreme Weather Event
Location: Dandenong Ranges VIC
Active:  July 21

Help the Hills Recovery Dandenong Ranges

DRA deployed a response to the severe weather events across the State of Victoria in June 2021. The target area for the rolling operation was the Dandenong Ranges which is 50km from Melbourne’s CBD.

The Melbourne Disaster Relief Team (DRT) collaberated with Rotary – Emerald & District and their Dandenong Ranges task force called “Help the Hills” to assist recovery efforts to help affected veterans and their communities.

Operation Corkhill

In Response to: Bushfire recovery
Location: Eurobodalla Shire & Bega, NSW
Active: Paused 24th June, 2021

Bushfire Recovery Bega Valley

The Black Summer Fires in the Bega Valley LGA caused widespread loss: with the destruction of 465 houses, 1098 outbuildings and hundreds of other structures damaged. DRA was forced to pause fire recovery operations in March of 2020 in the Bega area with Op Ryan due to COVID-19.

Work was able to recommence into the area with Phase 2 of Op Corkhill. There was still much bushfire recovery work to be done. DRA rolled to a new area of operation (AO) in the Bega Valley.

Operation Elliot

In Response to: Catastrophic flooding
Location: Mid-North-Coast, NSW
10 Apr 21 – 15th May 21

Flood Recovery Mid-North-Coast NSW

The New South Wales coastline – from the Mid-North-Coast to south of Sydney – experienced a sustained extreme weather event that set in on 19/20 March 2021. The area affected spanned much of NSW Central and Mid-North Coast.

DRA conducted flood recovery operations during 10th April – 15th May, 2021. This operation brought help and hope to the community and saved well in excess of 250K.

Operation Woods

In Response to: Bushfire recovery
Location: Perth Hills, WA
27 Feb – 25 Apr 21

Bushfire Recovery Perth Hills, WA

The Wooroloo fires in the north east of Perth destroyed at least 86 dwellings and burnt over 10500 ha of land. DRA and the Minderoo Foundation stepped up to help.

These volunteers included Fortescue and Western Force employees, as well as Minderoo Foundation staff who helped coordinate logistics and communications with affected residents.

Operation Turner

In Response to: Bushfire recovery
Location: Kangaroo Island
Nov 8, 2020

Bushfire Recovery Kangaroo Island, SA

The December 2019 bushfires on Kangaroo Island (KI) in South Australia continued in the region for several weeks resulting in the loss of two lives as well as many homes, farms, businesses and countless livestock and over 210,000 hectares of land.

As soon as it was safe to do so, Disaster Relief Australia deployed volunteers to the area, helping over 33 families. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, in late March 2020 the operation was halted.

Operation Dexter

In Response to: Bushfires
Location: Rosedale, Qld
14 Oct 20 – 8 Nov 20

Bushfire Recovery Rosedale, QLD

DRA launched a bushfire recovery operation in the SW area of the Gladstone Regional Council LGA, during October 2020 in response to the Nov/Dec 2018 bushfires which raged through the region for 2 weeks.

Locals sustained a fatality and countless injuries while fighting to save their properties. The fires burnt more than 75,000 hectares in and around the villages of Rosedale, Miriam Vale, Lowmead, Baffle Creek & Mount Maria. Twenty months post bushfires, some community members were still without power and continued to reside in makeshift dwellings. Disaster Relief Australia was dedicated to come back into the community to provide recovery works.

Operation Tiger

In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Kangaroo Island, SA
22 Feb 20 – 22 Mar 20

Operation Ryan

In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Cobargo, NSW
25 Jan 20 – 22 March 20

Operation Hannaford

In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Lobethal, SA
18 Jan 20 – 22 Mar 20

Operation Richter

In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: East Gippsland, VIC
21 Jan 20 – 8 Mar 20

Operation Partridge

In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Willawarrin, NSW 2350
25 Nov 19 – 5 Jan 20

Operation Bugden

In Response to: Devastating bushfires
Location: Casino, NSW
26 Oct 19 – 10 Nov 19

Operation Grant

In Response to: Drought
Location: Scone, NSW
13 May 19 – 27 May 19

Operation Gordon

In Response to: Flooding
Location: Townsville, QLD
30 Jan 19 – 9 Mar 19

Operation McLeod

In Response to: QLD wildfires
Location: Deepwater, QLD
16 Dec 19 – 11 Jan 19

Palu Tsunami

In Response to: Palu Tsunami
Location: Palu Indonesia
2 Oct 18 – 21 Oct 18

Operation Irma

In Response to: Hurricane Irma
Location: Road Town, British Virgin Islands
18 Oct 17 – 7 Nov 17

Operation Dunlop

In Response to: Operation Dunlop
Location: Proserpine QLD 4800, Australia
2 Apr 17 – 17 Apr 17

Operation Harding

In Response to: Drought
Location: Dubbo, NSW
7 Aug 18 – 2 Sep 18

Operation Dawes

In Response to: Tathra Bush Fires
Location: Tathra NSW 2550, Australia
22 Mar 18 – 13 Apr 18

Operation Hard Hustle

In Response to: Operation Hard Hustle
Location: Houston, TX, USA
1 Sep 17 – 1 Dec 17

Operation Bayanihan

In Response to: Typhoon Ompong
Location: North Luzon, Philippines
23 Jun 18 – 2 Oct 18