The Channon Disaster Resilience Plan Launches!

How did the Plan come about?

It began with an unprecedented disaster – in November 2019 the rainforest was burning in our beloved World Heritage Nightcap National Park, threatening homes in surrounding hills and valleys. But the concerted effort of our local RFS brigades, NPWS, volunteers and defenders stopped the fire and saved our homes and forest from the fires’ destruction.

This event sparked a collaborative Resilience Workshop, held at The Channon Hall in February 2020. Close to 100 local people came together to look at our current climatic and societal situation squarely in the face and say “well, what are we going to do about it on our local level?”  

Recognising the impact of the fires on The Channon and surrounds, Lismore City Council applied for a grant, and employed Emma Broomfield and Katrina Burbige of Locale Consulting to assist the people of The Channon with forming a Disaster Resilience Plan.

Since December 2020 The Channon and Surrounds Disaster Resilience Group have been working with the broader community, Locale Consulting, and Lismore City Council, to create a community-led Disaster Resilience Plan for The Channon and Surrounds. See whole Plan here >> link

The Plan itself was launched with a celebration at The Channon Hall on the 24th April 2021.

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Aim of the Plan

This Community Disaster Plan aims to clarify what is needed for The Channon and Surrounds community to build future resilience and provide recovery from recent events by establishing actions and programs that our community can implement.

The Plan will help our community to respond before, during and after a disaster. This includes recovering from the 2019/2020 bushfire season and preparing for other likely disasters such as floods or storm events.

It also provides practical and useful information for our community to use when preparing, preventing, responding or recovery from a disaster.

Having our thoughts and plans clearly laid out will help us be able to access grants for specific Actions in the plan.

“It’s a satisfying place to get to” says local resident, Ivy Young. “Having a plan, that has been created from the input and vision of locals, and expertise and skills of Emma from Locale Consulting, means that we now have a road-map for how we, as a community, can work together to improve our resilience and preparedness in the face of a range of disasters.”

Thanks

Thanks so much to Lismore City Council and Locale Consulting for funding, and facilitating this community-led process and keeping us on track! Of course, thanks to the group of committed and caring community members who helped put this Plan together.

Actions in the Plan

From the identified Actions, small working groups have formed to implement some of these. 
These will evolve and change, some may merge together. 

ALL DISASTERS
No.	Action	Priority / Timeline	Phase	Person / Organisation Responsible	Funding and Grant Source
1.	Appoint a dedicated resource to implement the PlanObtain grant funds to appoint a person from the community to implement this Plan. The role would:Oversee the delivery of actions in this Plan Find funding sources to implement actions in this PlanFoster community connections and cohesiveness Take lead role in establishing community communication channels Administer and acquit any grantsMonitor and report on risks and progress back to The Channon Disaster Resilience Group to ensure delivery is being achieved Recruit the Channon and Surrounds – Disaster Resilience Plan delivery officer for up to 12 months on a part-time basis (3-4 hours per week).	High priorityDeadline:September 2021	Prevention, preparation, recovery and response	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group auspiced by Lismore City CouncilCommunity lead:Person to be appointed to co-ordinator role	Funding source to be identified
2.	Create a local website focused on disastersDevelop a website which provides the community with up-to-date information about disaster prevention, preparation, recovery and response, and also builds community connectedness and cohesiveness. The website will be available for our community to help communicate, inform and educate us before, during and after a disaster. The website will include:Information about this Plan and the actions our community is taking to build our resilienceInformation about disasters which impact our community (ie bushfire, flood, storms, landslip and heatwave) and how to mitigate risks and impacts of these disastersLinks to RFS, SES, and Lismore City Council disaster dashboardLinks to support the mental health and wellbeing of our community A community directory of support services directly related to bushfire recovery assistanceCommunity protocols for animal management A local directory of businesses to support the buy local initiativePromotion of the new farmers market initiative Local advertising to support ongoing maintenance costsInformation about living The Channon and being part of the community	High priorityDeadline:August 2021	Prevention, preparation, recovery and response	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in partnership with Lismore City CouncilCommunity lead:Terri Nicolson	To be identified.
3.	Communicate on social media As a short-term response, communicate through the Hook Ups Facebook page the importance of the following (but not limited to): Having a disaster survival kit Signing up with entities that provide emergency news or alert systemsSpeaking with the household or significant others about preparednessIdentifying if you have a “storz” fitting on your water tankUnderstanding emergency risks during a flood based on current SES information and campaignsNeed for self-managed animal plans during an emergencyRequest through social media input from the community on:Information about any existing fire trails so that these can be mapped (action 14)Information about any static water sources so that these can be mapped (action 15)	High priority:Deadline:Ongoing	Prevention, preparation, recovery and response	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group Community lead:Terri Nicolson	Nil
4.	Deliver workshops and information sheetsDeliver a series of information sheets or community workshops at a new farmers market or other locations to inform landholders on methods to promote landscape health and recovery including flood mitigation. This could include lessons from the Watershed Initiative. Workshops to include:Regeneration of rainforest and planting of fire-retardant speciesCool-season cultural burning (firesticks)Wildlife habitat recovery (such as nesting boxes)Replanting (in conjunction with a plant giveaway program)Prevention and management of invasive flora and faunaNature based solutions  Develop factsheets or videos to cover workshop themes.	Medium priorityDeadline:September 2021	Preparation / recovery	The Channon Disaster Resilience GroupCommunity lead:Rachel Whiting & Zoe Fehlberg Potential partners:Lismore City CouncilOffice of the Environment and HeritageLandcare	To be identified
5.	Establish community communication channels Develop and maintain a connection tree which includes the address and preferred method of contact for:Vulnerable community members Isolated or hard-to-reach residentsDevelop a communications protocol where committee members (or those that are nominated) are available before, during and after emergencies to provide local advice and improved community liaison, communication and coordination between agencies and the local community.Investigate a local text alert to contact our community members during a disaster.	Medium priorityDeadline:September 2021	Preparation / response/ recovery	The Channon Disaster Resilience GroupCommunity lead:Person to be appointed to co-ordinator role	Nil
6.	Prepare a skills and inventory listCreate a list of any skills and equipment which is available within our community to help during or after a disaster and categorise into disaster types.Skills could consist of the following:Medical / first aid trainingMental health first aid trainingArborist/tree pruningBasic machinery operatorHeavy vehicle licence Communication or media Catering or cookingChild care A tool and equipment list, including ownership, could include:Tree pruning equipment such as chain sawPA system / Bull horn or portable public address communication device  Equipment needed to boil large volumes of water or cook large volumes of food (adequate supply of large pots, commercial cooking kettles, etc.)Logistics, equipment and containers available to transport food or water during an evacuation Portable chairs and tables for evacuation relocation/stagingVarious power tools (drill, saws, leaf blower etc.)Farm equipment Traffic control equipmentManual siphon pumpsDust/filter‐type masksEye protection (goggles, safety glasses, etc.)Sandbags / portable cots	Medium priorityDeadline:Ongoing	Recovery / Preparation	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group Community lead: Person to be appointed to co-ordinator role	Nil
7.	Lobby for road upgrades Form a lobby group to ensure regular communication with all levels of government about local roads.Lobby all levels of government to:Upgrade Wallace Road for safe access and evacuation during all disaster events (first, identify priority sections of Wallace Road that need upgrading)Classify upper Wallace Road as a strategic fire trailClassify Cox Road / Rose Road connector as a strategic fire trailPut together a submission / petition to lobby for upgrades and changes based on local knowledge and information.	Medium priorityDeadline:October 2021	Recovery / Preparation	The Channon Disaster Resilience GroupCommunity lead:Wallace Road residents –  Dave, Ivy, Peta, Zoe Community Lead:Rose Road – Wal Davies	Potential funding: Federal government
8.	Create a Community Safer PlaceDevelop a “Community Safer Place” program which will include:Confirming where the “Community Safer Place” is located within our community. The place could be an open space or buildings where people may gather, as a last resort, to seek shelter from a bushfire or flood event (eg: The Channon Hall).Identifying improvements to the “Community Safer Place” as a community hub to ensure these facilities support everyday community gatherings as well as shelter in the case of an emergency. For the Hall, this includes:Installing solar for power outages Installing a gas stove for cookingInstalling showers Creating a place for storage of any community owned equipment Working with The Channon Hall Committee to carry out a risk assessment of the facilities (eg: fire risk) and to obtain funding for identified improvementsUndertaking a community healing event at the Hall or The Channon markets to bring the independent communities and families together and provide direct support for psychological services for community-wide initiatives (eg: listening / heart circle). Invite Red Cross or other relevant mental health support services to attend to support the community’s mental health and wellbeing.	Low priorityDeadline:June 2021 October / December 2021	Response	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in partnership with The Channon Hall Committee, Safe Places Working Group and the CARE Group Community lead: Rachel Whiting, Dave & Mish	To be identified
9.	Promote buy local initiatives Promote buy local initiatives to drive our local economy, increase our economic diversity, maintain local goods and services available and enhance resilience through periods of potential isolation. This includes:marketing The Channon markets developing a farmer’s market for The Channoncreating a directory of local businesses and promoting on the new website and Hook Ups Facebook pagepromoting local food swap events such as Djaningworking in partnership with existing businesses such as the Tavern, General Store and cafe	Medium priorityDeadline:October 2021	Resilience	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group Community lead (farmers markets):Rachel Whiting & Zoe FehlbergCommunity lead (directory):Terri Nicholson	To be identified
10.	Encourage youth involvement Encourage youth involvement in implementation of this plan by informal mentoring opportunities.  Develop a youth forum for our community that aims to revitalise youth engagement in volunteering across a whole range of activities including land care, emergency services, SES, RFS and community projects.	Low priorityDeadline:Ongoing July 2021	Resilience	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in partnership with Youth GroupCommunity lead:Rachel Whiting	To be identified
11.	Promote awareness about animal management Encourage and facilitate community awareness about the need for self-managed animal plans during an emergency.Develop community protocols about animal management with experienced farmers in the community including:identifying triggers for actively moving animals, animal rescue and shelter during an emergencysecuring community members assistance with animal handling skillsidentifying who has transport to move animals	Low priorityDeadline:June 2022	Resilience	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in collaboration with farmers, animal owners, horse ownersCommunity lead: Caroline & Kirsty Joy, Ani Potential partners:Pony ClubDepartment of Primary IndustriesBlaze AidWorld Wildlife Fund	To be identified
12.	Implement nature based solution projectsInvestigate nature based solutions as a way to prevent and mitigate the risk of future natural disasters (eg: by supporting the Watershed Initiative)Create and implement local nature based solution projects that enhance local vegetation and reduce our risk to future natural disasters	Medium priorityDeadline: April 2022	Preparation/ Prevention	The Channon Disaster Resilience GroupCommunity lead: Ivy YoungPotential partners:Landcare	To be identified
13.	Lobby for action on climate change Form a lobby group to ensure regular communication with all levels of government about need to take action on climate change to reduce the risk of future natural disasters.	Low priorityDeadline:December 2022	Prevention	The Channon Disaster Resilience GroupCommunity lead: Ivy Young	Nil

BUSHFIRES
No.	Action	Priority / Timeline	Phase	Person / Organisation Responsible	Funding and Grant Source
14.	Create a fire trail map Develop a fire trail map of the local area to include existing and needed fire trails. This includes:Asking our intentional communities and property owners to provide any existing maps to the local RFSIdentifying the difference between walkable and drivable tracksIdentifying the strategic fire trailsUndertaking a physical audit of the trails where possible to check the conditionsConfirming how the maps will be produced (ie digital or paper) Respecting the privacy of any individuals who do not wish to share or disclose informationOnce the map has been produced, provide to the local and district RFS.	High priorityDeadline:August 2021	Preparation	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in collaboration with the Fire GroupCommunity lead:Michael Murphy & John HutchinsonPotential partners:Lismore City CouncilLocal RFS brigade	To be identified
15.	Create an emergency water supply mapMap existing still water access points (such as tanks and dams) and identify any gaps. This map will be completed with the fire trail map.	Medium priorityDeadline:August 2021	Recovery	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in collaboration with the Fire Group Community lead:Michael Murphy & John HutchinsonPotential partners:Lismore City CouncilLocal RFS brigade	Lismore City Council (water supply points)
16.	Facilitate the community to “tank up”Share information with the community about eligibility for water tank rebates, water tank replacement schemes and support community through a communal tank drive.  Identify properties with gaps or a need to replace existing tanks include public spaces such as the school, preschool and oval. Work with the RFS about the current agency water tank scheme. Apply to grants schemes to provide more water tanks in the community.Establish water access points in remote locations which can be accessible for emergency water supply (Note: Council has funds do to this)	Medium priorityDeadline:Ongoing	Recovery / Preparation	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in collaboration with individuals / householdsCommunity lead:To be identifiedPotential partners:RFS	To be identified
17.	Hold a community information day on bushfire preparation and recoveryHold a community information stall with the RFS at The Channon markets to share information about preparing for bushfires on individual properties (Bushfire Plan). Invite feedback on the fire trail / static water supply maps (actions 14 and 15)Invite other agencies to attend The Channon markets including SES, Red Cross and Resilience NSW to share information about disaster management.	Medium priorityDeadline:September 2021 July / August 2021	Preparation	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in collaboration with The Channon Markets and The Channon RFS brigadeCommunity Lead:John Hutchison & Allison	Nil
18.	Carry out community bushfire exercisesIdentify the type of community bushfire exercise our community wishes to carry out. This could include:Hands on demonstration of “cool burning” or “cultural burning” techniques Assistance from RFS on burning off on individual propertiesCommunal day to clear fire trails Community wide practice drills Mock evacuation events to “Community Safe Place” (action 8)Carry out agreed community bushfire exercises to improve understanding of local bushfire risk, including different scenarios.	Medium priorityDeadline:Ongoing	Preparation	The Channon Disaster Resilience Group in collaboration with The Channon RFS brigade Community Lead:John Hutchison	To be identified
19.	Upgrade the RFS shedUpgrade The Channon RFS brigade shed as it plays a vital role in the immediate response to bushfire threats and the resilience of our community. This includes:Negotiating to secure additional landImproving the facilities to include meeting rooms and showers	Medium priorityDeadline:December 2021	Recovery / Preparation	Locale RFS brigade Community Lead:John Hutchison	To be identified

View/Download The Channon Disaster Resilience Plan PDF

Action : The Channon Hub Website
Through the process of creating this plan the need for a local website became clear- somewhere people can find information, not only about disaster preparedness, but all manner of knowledge and information sharing about living in or around The Channon. The website, www.thechannonhub.org has been created, and went live at the Launch on 24th April 2021. Thanks to the funding from Lismore City Council to help get this website up and running.