Bellingen Receives $4.2 Million to Create ‘Ring of Resilience

Published on 24 November 2021

Bellingen Shire Council have recently received grant funding from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund for a project that takes a three-pronged approach to community recovery and resilience: place, connection and coordination, to create a “Ring of Resilience” around the Shire.

In the year following the 2019/2020 bushfires, community consultation through Shire-wide focus groups and a Community Resilience Deliberative Panel provided valuable information on what was missing and what is needed to ensure effective preparation for future disasters. Priorities for action were identified for Bellingen Shire’s resilience: place and preparedness, connection through communication and by supporting at risk community members and coordination for shared agendas, activities and outcomes.

“The work of the ‘Ring of Resilience: Place, Connection, Coordination’ project is to strengthen essential systems and connections so that the Bellingen Shire is prepared, across our community, to withstand and to respond during and after disasters.” said Clare Danby, Community Resilience Coordinator.

Funding is allocated across three pillars:

Place – includes the preparation of recovery centres in Dorrigo (Community Hall refurbishment), Bellingen (adaptation of Memorial Hall project) and Urunga (ex RFS/Forestry building on the corner of Orara Street and Bowra Street refurbishment completion). Secondly, it focuses on upgrading emergency operation centre facilities at Raleigh Depot.

Connection – work to ensure that connections between people, groups and access to information is prepared to serve better in times of disaster and in recovery. This includes projects for indigenous engagement, work with community places and spaces, the Neighbourhood Care Network, 2BBB community radio, Community Housing and towards Council communications systems.

Coordination – focuses on the design and development of a strong network for resilience across Bellingen Shire including groups, formal and informal organisations and individuals. This work links with the work on connection and place.

“This funding will further develop Bellingen Shire local government area as a socially resilient, economically sustainable community in the region, which is prepared for, able to cope with and recover rapidly from disasters” said Clare Danby, Community Resilience Coordinator.

The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Package is part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in NSW.

Since the Black Summer of 2019-2020 the NSW Government and Australian Government have been supporting the recovery of bushfire impacted communities through a range of funding programs that support local and regional economic and social recovery – including initiatives across economic, social, built and natural environment recovery.

For more information please contact Clare Danby, Community Resilience Coordinator on 6655 7356 or cdanby@bellingen.nsw.gov.au.