Ian Manock Australian Graduate School of Policing Charles Sturt University. Examining the resilience of rural communities to flooding emergencies

Transcription

1 Ian Manock Australian Graduate School of Policing Charles Sturt University Examining the resilience of rural communities to flooding emergencies

2 Research Team Professor John Hicks - (School of Business) Dr. Valerie Ingham - (Australian Graduate School of Policing) Dr. Mir Rabiul Islam - (School of Psychology) Dr. Richard Sappey - (School of Business) Mr. Ian Manock - (Australian Graduate School of Policing)

3 Study Focus Molong, New South Wales

4 Study Focus Molong, New South Wales

5 Molong Located in the Cabonne Shire on the Mitchell Highway between Orange and Wellington and approx 350 Kms west of Sydney Population approx 1600 people Settled in early 1830s Primary production Agriculture farming, sheep, cattle, wheat, fruit (grapes, stone fruit, apples) Situated on the Molong Creek

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8 Major hazard: Flooding Local minor flooding of Molong Creek from localised rainfall (annually) Major flash flooding of Molong Creek due to major rainfall in headwaters catchment on Mt Canobolas (1956, 2005, 2010)

9 Impact of Major Flooding Lower parts of town on Molong Creek and lower eastern end of main street and businesses inundated metres in depth

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17 Flood preparedness Coordinated by NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Flood planning at Local, Regional and State levels, Flood Safe program, Flood Safe Guides, Evacuation plans Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and SES provide flood alerts, watches, advice & warnings. Monitoring station on Molong Creek at Borenore (NW of Orange) provides flash flooding warnings of 1-2 hrs

18 Molong Study Postal Survey of 730 addresses (January, 2012) Community meeting/ focus group (February, 2012)

19 Community preparedness

20 BoM and SES Flood Warnings

21 Economic impact of flooding

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24 Psychological impact of flooding

25 Community resilience

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28 Conclusions Flooding in Molong has had devastating effects on local businesses and the town s economic stability Resignation by residents that flooding will continue to occur but they recognise that the impact of flooding can be reduced Despite the flooding risk, residents and business owners remain in Molong for both love and financial reasons Residents rely on the BOM and SES warnings of flash flooding to prepare for the impact of flooding The physical and economic impact of flooding causes a great deal of stress to residents and business owners The community feels that their needs are not being addressed by the Local Government authority

29 Recommendations the Cabonne Shire Council work together with the community and continue to examine the feasibility of a levy system on the Molong Creek in order to improve the resilience of the community to flooding and the long term viability of main street businesses. the Cabonne Shire Council, SES and NSW Ministry of Health work together with the community to develop strategies for the implementation of short, medium and long term psychological support to those Molong community members affected by floods.

30 Bangladesh/ Australia Comparison Interim Results Bangladesh - Despite lack of physical resources, people are proactive and engaged in the flood response process. Australia - Communities have a more developed understanding of planning and preparation. Bangladesh - There was no expectation by villagers that it was their right to receive a flood warning. Warnings often not issued for fear of panicking population. Australia - Community members rely on formal flood warnings and consider them essential.

31 Bangladesh/ Australia Comparison Interim Results (cont d) Bangladesh Preparedness activities are mostly related to just before the event occurs. Australia Preparedness activities occur long before events occur. Bangladesh Knowledge about hazards and potential impact and response activities mostly gained from personal experience. Australia Knowledge gained from formalised public awareness and education programs organised by government agencies.

32 Bangladesh/ Australia Comparison Interim Results (cont d) Bangladesh No insurance available to villages, reliance on physical resources and physical works to reduce flood impact. Australia Reliance on physical measures to reduce susceptibility, but also reliance on insurance to cover repairs, restoration, rebuilding post-event. Bangladesh Resigned acceptance of inevitable Allah s Will and calm acceptance of prolonged disorder after an event. Australia Recognition that floods will occur, but also reliance on government agencies to take action to reduce the susceptibility and increase resilience of population

33 Ian Manock Emergency Management Courses Coordinator Lecturer in Emergency Management Australian Graduate School of Policing Charles Sturt University Tel: imanock@csu.edu.au