The ISJO has received a three year grant under the Commonwealth Government’s $200 million Disaster Ready Fund Round 2.

Our grant will enable the implementation of a $2.5 million program within the Illawarra Shoalhaven and coordination of separately funded related programs in the wider NSW Joint Organisation Network.  These two interconnected streams are designed to both advance place-based resilience outcomes across the Illawarra Shoalhaven and contribute to broader systemic change at the state level through collaboration and knowledge sharing across NSW councils, Joint Organisations (JOs) and key government and infrastructure partners.

In total 54 local government areas will be involved in program delivery.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Program

Our Regional Delivery Program will focus on practical, place-based initiatives to advance disaster adaptation and resilience within the Illawarra Shoalhaven Region. This includes supporting the NSW Reconstruction Authority in the development of regional Disaster Adaptation Plans (DAPs) which will draw on local risk assessments and past project learnings.  It also involves a Regional Energy Supply Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Modelling Study to map critical vulnerabilities and inform future infrastructure planning. Critical Infrastructure Resilience Plans will be developed for sectors such as transport, telecommunications, water/sewer, and energy using best-practice methods to guide strategic investment. Additionally, the program will oversee continued promotion and monitoring of the multi-hazard sensors deployed in the previous DRF funding round and provide also workshops on the integration of resilience into the IP&R process.

Network Coordination Program

The Network Coordination Program will strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing across New South Wales by coordinating strategic networks involving Joint Organisations and Regional Organisations of Councils, state agencies, industry, researchers and peak bodies.

A key deliverable will be the development of a Local Government Maturity Model to help councils benchmark their disaster readiness and track progress over time.  The program will also translate existing guidance and best practices into accessible tools tailored to council needs. Targeted capacity-building support will be offered, including assistance with DAP development, professional development, collaborative project design, and funding submission preparation.

Multi-Hazard Monitoring and Early Warning System installation completed

In partnership with the four Councils of our region, Telstra and Attentis® – Smart sensors, Intelligent wireless networks and real-time information the ISJO has initiated a three-year trial of a multi-hazard monitoring and early warning system for disaster risk reduction.

Following an intensive process of data gathering and review installation of the fifteen monitors has been completed and the system is now live.

The sites identified for installation include:

• Shoalhaven Water, Milton
• Elliot Park, Barrack point
• Swamp Road, Jamberoo
• Bawley Point RFS, Bawley Point
• Northern Depot WCC, Bulli
• Jamberoo Mountain Rd, Bunderoo
• James Holt Reserve, Minnamurra
• Otford Causeway, Otford
• Darkes Forest, Darkes Forest
• Main Depot WCC, North Wollongong
• Moona Moona Creek Bridge, Vincentia
• Conjola Park, Lake Conjola
• Calderwood District Park, Calderwood
• Kangaroo Valley, Kangaroo Valley

The pilot will continue for a three-year period with the technology and supporting systems leased and all associated costs covered by grant funding provided through the NSW Disaster Risk Reduction Fund.

The real-time, energy independent sensors detect 24-hour live local weather, wind, rainfall, air quality, visual and thermal images which are accessible to community members and the four local councils in the region. This is the first deployment of its kind in NSW designed to prevent, improve and empower communities with disaster response and resilience enabling live, continuous access to information.

The outcomes of the three-year pilot will provide essential data, and Councils in the long term will have the opportunity to investigate the business case for further investment. Learnings and processes will also be shared with State Government agencies and other key bodies involved in implementation of the State Disaster Mitigation plan (SDMP).

For more information and to access the Mjultisensor Dashboard go to our Sensor Network page.