The fires impacted over 100 local government areas burning 24 million hectares, killing 33 people, destroying more than 3,100 homes, and caused the death and displacement of an estimated 3 billion animals.
While the Royal Commission said State Governments hold most of the responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment, they also must ensure local governments have the capacity and capability to perform their roles in disaster management.
Read MoreIf managing multiple disasters at a time will be the new normal, how can local governments and their communities simultaneously manage recovery efforts while coping with concurrent disasters? This may be a significant turning point for the reconceptualisation and reintegration of “resilience” into all aspects of local government disaster planning.
Read MoreAs local governments adapt to life under lockdown many face disruptions to their climate plans. Confronting the dual challenges of coronavirus and climate change will require municipal governments to get creative and draw on non-monetary reserves: their community’s compassion and social capital to help them navigate these uncertain waters.
Read MoreStories about how local governments are responding innovatively are being shared on Cities for Global Health, a platform where city governments can report responses to the COVID—19 outbreak. The initiative is being led by Metropolis and ALLIAs.
Read MoreAll local governments should be concerned by the findings of the Climate Council’s latest report Weather Gone Wild. It summarises key extreme weather events that hit Australia and the world last year, with economic losses associated with weather-related disasters estimated to be US $215 billion, costs ultimately carried by people, communities and local governments.
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