Australia’s exposure to disaster risk continues to increase, with new risks emerging at an accelerated pace. Disasters such as bushfire, heatwaves, flood, dust storms, storms and tropical cyclones (incl ex tropical cyclones), severe thunderstorms, hailstorm, and sea level change are increasingly impacting the wellbeing and functioning of our communities, our environment and our economy.
These disasters are increasingly occurring as compounding and cascading events resulting in consequences that may range from modest to substantial – recent examples include the 2017-2019 drought followed by the 2019/20 bushfires and the COVID pandemic.
Investment in Disaster Risk Reduction contributes to strengthening resilience and risk informed sustainable development. Research demonstrates that for every $1 invested in disaster risk reduction up to $9.60 can be saved in post disaster recovery and loss, however between 2005 and 2022, 98% of Australian government funding invested in disasters went towards recovery and relief rather than building resilience.
The funding allows for the participation of up to 3 agricultural sectors whose selection has been informed by an initial strategic review and at the direction of the steering committee.
PPSA has been contracted to coordinate the industry-led approach that explores the risks of compounding and cascading disasters on people, production, profitability, and supply chains of the selected sectors to meet the outcomes as detailed below.
PPSA is engaging with the selected commodity groups to execute the requirements of the project in accordance with the terms of the relevant funding agreement.
The project must be co-designed and overseen by an appropriate project steering committee which includes representatives drawn from PPSA’s membership, SAFECOM and PIRSA.
The primary outcome of the Project is an increased understanding of industries’ vulnerabilities and the commitment to shared responsibility between government and industry to address gaps. Further project outcomes include:
- Application of national frameworks for strategic decisions on climate and disaster risk in a South Australian context.
- Improved readiness for recovery through increased understanding of industry vulnerabilities and gaps and commitment to shared responsibility with industry.
- Clearer rationale for when and how recovery assistance is provided to primary producers.