Plans & Actions

1. Increase water sustainability and security education and communication within the community including showcasing local businesses which have adopted water efficiency measures. This includes community engagement and educational program to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills to conserve water. 2. Update Councils' respective 'Drought Management Plans' to initiate level 1 water restrictions earlier. 3. Invest in drought management workshops tailored to producers and key community stakeholders to improve resilience and preparedness. This could include educational campaigns to prevent fire hazards during drought conditions, targeting both new and existing residents. 4. Better coordination of stakeholders and community groups to strengthen drought resilience activities and responses. 5. Invest in developing comprehensive information packs for councils to distribute to new and existing residents, focusing on water security practices, efficiency tips, and responsible fire management during droughts. 6. Improve access and understanding of resilience research, encouraging the potential to deliver improved environmental outcomes.

Increase focus on mental health support services and awareness campaigns during drought periods, ensuring farmers, business owners, and community members have access to essential resources and information. These services will be structured to suit a range of individual circumstances, such as offering evening events for farmers. Develop mental health services that meet the needs of the community and are accessible in a range of formats (delivered both formally and informally). This could include innovative approaches like Local Land Services or Rural Financial Counselling Service cold calling farmers and local business owners to inquire about their well-being and offer assistance as needed. Explore options to use existing facilities such as saleyards as a community hub for agriculture-related education sessions and potentially generate income as an events facility. Investing in programs and upskilling volunteers to provide mental health support while engaging in practical on-site tasks, e.g., “Farm Army”, can enhance productivity and well-being. Facilitate the delivery both formal and information training event opportunities to support an improved understanding of mental health and wellbeing across both LGA’s; collaborate with existing community groups and government agencies to ensure effective communication of existing programs and services available to residents of Northern New England; support small scale events to build social capital in rural and remote areas of the each LGA e.g. Smoko with Friends; community hall BBQ’s.

Implement initiatives to plant drought-tolerant native vegetation, enhancing local green spaces resilience and biodiversity. This will provide communities with thriving landscapes even during dry periods, promoting mental health and overall well-being. Implement recycled water initiatives to maintain specific community green spaces during drought. By using recycled water systems such as greywater recycling, these areas can remain lush and vibrant, providing a crucial mental health refuge for residents. This ensures that even in times of water scarcity, there are dedicated green spaces available for community use, promoting well-being and stress relief.

1. Explore feasibility of a town card program to support farmers and small business owners during drought. This could be in the form of a digital money card to be used by the community to stimulate the local economy and sustain services. Clear eligibility criteria would ensure cards reach those most in need. 2. Explore potential to value-add to existing local industry and business, possibly with investors/venture capital in association with the New England REZ. 3. Develop a holistic interactive program that enables participants to learn how to complete market research, develop feasibility on ideas, plan and implement a new business enterprise. This would be delivered through networking events, face-to-face workshops, and industry exploration tours. The program will seek to increase business literacy skills and to create a network of like-minded entrepreneurs across the region. 4. Glen Innes and Tenterfield Chambers of Commerce engage with local businesses to provide support and guidance prior to drought. Provide assistance preparing/reviewing business plans to effectively respond to drought conditions. 5. Promote existing government initiatives that offer financial support and incentives specifically for new entrants to agriculture to become drought ready, with support of rural organisations and non-for-profit groups. 6. Support Glen Innes Severn Council's continued commitment to the Coalition of Renewable Energy Mayors (CoREM) to leverage the future 1.5% of REZ and advise Tenterfield Shire Council on potential regional impacts. 7. Promote the importance of supporting local business and regional tourism attractions to sustain local communities during drought.

1. Emphasising tourism as an economic diversification strategy during and outside of drought, promoting drought-resistant tourism activities, enhancing attractions that remain viable regardless of drought conditions, such as cultural heritage sites, mountain biking trails (including the Angry Bull Trails and proposed rail trail), and adventure tourism. Allocate funds to improve infrastructure and marketing efforts to attract visitors year-round, supporting the regional economy. 2. Invest in cross-border activation hubs, such as the proposed Wallangarra/Jennings rail precinct, to encourage travellers between New South Wales and Queensland to stop and explore the region. Enhance facilities and amenities at these hubs to boost local tourism and economic activity. 3. Develop and invest in a comprehensive strategy to promote relocating, living, and working in the region, similar to the 'West is Best' campaign for Western NSW. Highlight the region's unique lifestyle, economic opportunities, and supportive community to attract new residents and businesses. 4. Invest in infrastructure to position Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield LGAs as key destinations, including enhancing RV-friendly facilities, installing EV fast chargers, and improving hotels and attractions. Advocate for and promote these amenities to attract visitors and boost the regional economy. 5. Support development of agribusiness opportunities that encompass both farming and farming-related commerce including production, processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural related products. This diversification of agriculture has the capacity to support local communities in and out of drought affected periods enhance local economic growth.

Invest in and repurpose infrastructure to attract, sustain and retain the local population. This includes health care services, educational opportunities, recreational facilities and housing that supports the needs of a diverse (and aging) population. This will require working with partners in the region.

Invest in a feasibility study to determine opportunities and optimal water storage locations such as large-scale water tanks, around the region to support drought mitigation and firefighting efforts. This study will identify the most effective sites to enhance water availability and improve emergency response capabilities.

Invest in an audit of the region's infrastructure to assess condition, remaining lifespan, potential upgrades or refurbishment of existing infrastructure. The findings may help secure funding to support the development of new infrastructure, ensure the maintenance and enhancement of current facilities, and implement solutions to meet the region's future needs.

Revise and enhance drought management plans to incorporate infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading water storage facilities, enhancing water distribution systems, and integrating advanced water management technologies. These amendments will ensure the region's infrastructure is better equipped to handle drought conditions, improving resilience and resource efficiency.

Encourage the adoption of water-efficient infrastructure, including taps, toilets, shower heads, dishwashers, and washing machines. This initiative will promote water conservation and reduce overall water consumption in the region. Support rebate schemes for residents and business.

Addressing water restrictions and improving communication about water conservation measures to urban residents and new arrivals in regional towns. This could include education campaigns to prevent fire hazards during drought conditions, targeting both new and existing residents.

Establishing a strategic community education program on water management during drought catering to individuals of all ages and abilities. This program could include practical demonstrations and guidance on methods such as collecting and reusing water from washing machines for gardening purposes, Along with the creation of demonstrational videos to illustrate these techniques effectively.

Secure funding to support the diversification of industries within the region, aiming to maintain and enhance its attractiveness for potential residents and businesses. This initiative will focus on developing and promoting new economic opportunities that can thrive alongside traditional sectors, ensuring a resilient and dynamic local economy.

Host a program; potentially two cohorts, to develop leadership skills among youth (18-25 years) and early career leaders from various industries. The program would include mentorship, peer networking events, and training in time management, communication, team management, safety and meeting Industrial Relations requirements.

Form a dedicated working group focused on community drought preparedness, comprising representatives from local business, agricultural organisations, community groups, and other relevant stakeholders. This group will meet every six months to review climate change conditions, share knowledge, and coordinate strategies and actions to enhance regional resilience and response efforts. More frequent meetings to occur when moving into drought. Encourage an ongoing forum to mitigate and manage drought.

Support a DPIRD centralised coordination hub that connects farmers and the wider community with essential information for drought preparedness, services, and resources during drought. This hub should serve as a go-to point for both service providers and community members, ensuring efficient distribution of information and access to both financial and non-financial support. It could also include databases of research, AI support chat, case studies, funding opportunities, and practical guides. It should be user-friendly and accessible to all members of the community.

Collaborate with local councils, agricultural organisations, and community groups to create a comprehensive database identifying the regions stakeholders, including farmers, business owners, and residents. This database could be used for partnering organisations to facilitate early identification of drought impacts, mental health assessments, and streamline coordination of support efforts.

Increased focus on mental health support services and awareness campaigns during drought periods. Not just for farmers, but for the entire community. Initiatives such as GLENRACs 'Smoko with Friends' or Anglicare’s 'Go without for the drought'.

Community wellbeing is boosted during drought through the maintenance of a well-kept and flourishing townscape whereby being able to see green sporting fields is important for mental health of the community and for children. They are also important to maintain social bonds though recreation activities. This may be an opportunity for recycled water or larger water storage facilities for this purpose.

There is an opportunity to boost the local economy by attracting more travellers and encouraging overnight stays. By promoting and providing amenities and attractions, these towns can become preferred stopover points for tourists and those traveling between New South Wales and Queensland. This could also include upgrading essential infrastructure, such as EV Charging Stations.