Plans & Actions
What your region is working towards, what's underway, and where things stand.
Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar and Walgett (Far Northwest) Regional Drought Resilience Plan
New South Wales
“In the Far Northwest Region, our resilience against drought is forged through collaboration and co-design with our communities and councils. Our vision is to: • Cultivate a well-prepared and robust community, where every sector—agriculture, business, local governments, and community members—work together to sustain our way of life and enhance regional well-being. • Amidst the inherently arid and harsh landscape of our region, focus on actions that protect our natural environment, strengthen our local economy, and enrich the social fabric of our community. This vision is built on a foundation of innovative practices, nurtured by strong local networks, and shaped by the diverse voices of our region. Our strategy, to underpin the vision, is to be dynamic and inclusive, continuously refined through dialogue with our community and adaptive to changing climatic conditions. As a result, our plan prioritises adaptive strategies which equip and better prepare communities to respond to the changing conditions, future uncertainties and shocks which accompany periods of drought. This includes continuous monitoring of water resources, flexible infrastructure projects, and community-driven initiatives that can be adjusted as new information and technology becomes available. Strategic investments in water storage, connectivity and sustainable practices are designed to enhance capacity to adapt to future climatic variability. The vision for this plan was informed by significant input from members of the community, stakeholders, including local governments, community organisations and groups across a variety of sectors. Councillors, farmers, business owners and residents participated in early consultations, with ongoing feedback received through workshops, surveys and follow-up meetings. A collaborative, co-designed approach has resulted in a culmination of recommendations which prioritise both relevance and effectiveness, as well as emphasising local leadership and community engagement. By moving forward together, the intent is that we safeguard our region’s vitality, preserve our natural resources, and build enduring resilience to drought. Through this collective effort, we aim to convert challenges into opportunities for growth and adaptation, ensuring we emerge from each drought more connected and resilient than before.”
The Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar and Walgett (Far Northwest) region's Regional Drought Resilience Plan under the Future Drought Fund — community-owned, evidence-based, identifying actions to prepare for future droughts. Extracted from the published plan.
Where things stand
Every one of the 31 action ideas from this plan, in one placePillar 2: Responding to Drought Events
6 of 6 action ideas — tap to view
Emergency Communication Systems: Establish robust emergency communication systems to ensure reliable connectivity during droughts and other natural disasters.
Agtech Support Programs: Implement grant programs to help farmers transition from 3G to more advanced Agtech devices and applications compatible with 4G and 5G networks.
Mobile Connectivity Solutions: Deploy mobile cell towers and temporary infrastructure to maintain connectivity in affected areas during drought emergencies.
Community Support Initiatives: Develop support initiatives to provide immediate assistance to communities during droughts, ensuring they have access to critical information and resources through reliable telecommunications.
Partnerships with Emergency Services: Collaborate with emergency services to ensure they have the necessary telecommunications support for efficient operations during drought events.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Conduct campaigns to educate the community on how to utilise the upgraded telecommunications infrastructure during emergencies for accessing essential services and information.
Pillar 3: Building Future Resilience
7 of 7 action ideas — tap to view
Sustainable Infrastructure Development: Invest in telecommunications infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and ensure long-term reliability.
Technological Innovation: Promote the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and smart farming solutions that enhance water productivity and sustainability in agricultural practices.
Economic Diversification Programs: Encourage economic diversification by supporting local entrepreneurship in digital services and remote work opportunities facilitated by improved connectivity.
Community Training and Education: Implement training programs to educate the community and local businesses on the benefits and uses of advanced telecommunications technologies.
Research and Development: Support R&D initiatives to explore new telecommunications solutions and innovations that can further enhance the region’s resilience to drought and other environmental challenges.
Policy Advocacy and Development: Advocate for policies that support the expansion and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring continuous funding and regulatory support.
Long-term Funding Strategies: Develop long-term funding strategies, including public/private partnerships and government grants, to ensure sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure and services.
Long-Term Water Security Projects
4 of 4 action ideas — tap to view
Pillar 1: Planning and Monitoring
6 of 6 action ideas — tap to view
Comprehensive Connectivity Audit: Conduct thorough audits of current 4G and 5G coverage and identify areas with connectivity gaps, particularly focusing on ‘black spots’ and underserved communities.
Centralised Data Management: Develop a centralised database to monitor the progress of infrastructure upgrades and track connectivity improvements across the region.
Feasibility Studies and Environmental Impact Assessments: Perform detailed feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments for proposed telecommunications projects to ensure sustainability and minimal ecological disruption.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with telecommunications providers, local businesses, and community groups to gather input and ensure the projects meet the specific needs of the region.
Scenario Analysis and Forecasting: Use predictive models to assess the impact of various scenarios, such as natural disasters or economic shifts, on telecommunications infrastructure and plan accordingly.
Transport Reporting: Maintain transparency by regularly publishing progress reports and updates for any stakeholders, highlighting improvements and addressing any issues encountered.