Project Resilience
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It’s time to prepare Australian communities for disaster
Project Resilience is Disaster Relief Australia’s contribution to the Minderoo Foundation’s Resilient Communities Initiative. Resilient Communities aims to lift Australia’s 50 most vulnerable communities to be on par with Australia’s most resilient communities by 2025.
‘Big Map’ resilience exercise
Project Resilience is a nationwide multiple-phase community engagement project aimed at increasing Australian communities’ resilience to natural disasters. One of the resilience activities is a ‘Big Map’ exercise. This plays a pivotal role in identifying potential risks and hazards and providing solutions to help improve the resilience of local communities.
A ‘Big Map’ is created by deploying a fleet of aircraft drones piloted by trained specialists into the field to safely conduct post-disaster aerial operations of an impacted area. This coupled with teams of image analysts turns aerial imagery into maps/aerial intelligence to highlight to the community how to prepare for natural disasters in the future.
Benefits of a strong community resilience plan
Backed by the skills and experience of military veterans, emergency services specialists and an army of dedicated volunteers, Disaster Relief Australia aim to empower communities with projects that build resilience to disasters and foster a sense of community pride.
Mitigates disaster
Reduce exposure to hazards, lessen the vulnerability of people and property and manage the local natural environment.
Community connections
Foster community connections to improve social and mental health outcomes and community cohesion in times of need.
Foster leadership
Empowers local leaders to make effective and informed decisions that prioritise community safety and infrastructure.
Resilience plan
Builds a strong coping capacity to prepare for and bounce back from natural disasters that disrupt the communities way of life.
Collie, WA – Big Map Floodwise Exercise
Big Map Flood Wise Exercise is being held in Collie, WA. Find out how Project Resilience can benefit your community.
Project Resilience ‘Big Map’ Exercise in Willawarrin NSW
On Friday 22 April, Disaster Relief Australia led and managed the first Project Resilience “Big Map” exercise for the community of Willawarrin, NSW.
How we raise community resilience
Disaster Relief Australia as part of Project Resilience can offer communities:
- Aerial imagery and data mapping with our fleet of remotely piloted aircraft and trained specialists
- Specialist assessment of infrastructure, assets, vulnerabilities and preparation priorities
- Scenario modelling and disaster planning workshops to collect community feedback
- Creation, management and execution of local community projects, with community collaboration encouraged
- Training and management of local community volunteers
- Dedicated volunteers skilled in chainsaw work, route clearance and property access, debris removal, fencing repair, expedient home repairs and more
Supporting local communities
DRA operates nine Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs):
- DRT Queensland North
- DRT Queensland South
- DRT New South Wales
- DRT Australian Capital Territory
- DRT Victoria
- DRT South Australia
- DRT Western Australia
- DRT Northern Territory (launched March 2022)
- DRT Tasmania (launched April 2022)
Each DRT has the capability to conduct disaster relief and community support operations. Under Project Resilience, each DRT will adopt a community and work through a nationally led program to help that community build its resilience to natural disasters.
