Jensen, Leo (8D)

Building Community Resilience in the Lockyer Valley: A Region in Transition Leo Jensen, Group Manager Community & Development Services

2012 ICTC Conference, Gold Coast

Warning The following news footage may distress some viewers

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Introduction • The Lockyer Valley was devastated by arguably the worst flood in modern history during the summer of 2010/2011.

• No one was unaffected by what occurred !

•19 people lost their lives • 80% of the region’s road infrastructure was damaged • structural damage to 119 properties • 2,290 properties were inundated • + 1,000 vehicles swept downstream

• The physical impact of the flood was there for all to see … what wasn’t quite so visible was the human and social impact the flood left behind, and the need to rebuild a community.

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Introduction

(cont’d)

• The social impact included: • Fear and insecurity around future impacts • Social upheaval due to loss of life • People had to relocate temporarily • New dependencies created on welfare services and recovery agencies • Loss of homes, property & personal belongings • In response to this Council lead a major ‘Human and Social Recovery’ program in partnership with the community and recovery agencies.

• Over time this has evolved from a recovery focus to resilience building.

• The purpose of this presentation is to share some of the community and social development initiatives implemented in the Lockyer Valley to “build community resilience.”

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Key Projects & Achievements - Recovery • First major task was the establishment of the Human & Social Advisory Committee, chaired by Council • Primary objective - work with affected individuals, local groups and communities • First 12 months after the flood - focused on recovery • Last 10 months - focus to resilience building • Resilience building is about ‘helping the community to help themselves’.

• This is a priority because many of the recovery services are only funded until June 2013, and we want the community to be in a position to support themselves more effectively.

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Key Projects & Achievements – Recovery

(cont’d)

• Some of the key activities implemented during the recovery phase under the guidance of the Human & Social Advisory Committee (HSAC): • Case management – Council staff were seconded to work one-on-one with affected residents • Recovery Service Provider Planning Forum – part of the planning process for the HSAC – included mapping community needs, service gaps, referral pathways • Lockyer Valley Community Recovery Limited Inc – established to generate funds generated through the Lockyer Valley Flood Relief Appeal.

• Support and build the capacity of locally based community groups to provide critical local services.

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Key Projects– Recovery

(cont’d)

• Established ‘Council Community Connect’ – tool to communicate with the community. Distributed to over 200 local community groups.

• New community infrastructure – Murphys Creek Community Centre and the redevelopment of the Grantham Butter Factory.

• Established Community Reference Group – ensure broad community engagement in all recovery activities.

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Key Projects– Resilience Building •Resilience building is about helping people and communities to help themselves.

•A resilient community possesses the following characteristics: • • • •

Functions well under stress Can adapt successfully Self-reliant Strong social capacity

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Key Projects – Resilience Building

(cont’d)

Some of the key activities implemented during the resilience building phase under the guidance of the HSAC: • First Anniversary Commemorative Event – One Year On Part of the process of reflection and moving forward.

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Key Projects – Resilience Building

(cont’d)

• Active Healthy Lockyer – initiatives that foster healthy lifestyles contribute to the empowerment of individuals and communities affected by disaster.

•

Elements of the AHL program include: • Community Training Workshops • Health and Wellbeing Expo • Healthy Lifestyle Guide • Heart Foundation Walking Groups • Establish Community Gardens

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Key Projects – Resilience Building

(cont’d)

• Natural Disaster Resilience Leadership Project – in partnership with Volunteering Qld – opportunity for community leaders to discuss and plan for resilience building.

• Building the capacity of Community Groups – mentoring, skills based workshops, partnership projects and research support.

• Refined the role of the Community Reference Group as a key engagement forum for the community.

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Key Projects – Resilience Building

(cont’d)

• Community Education and Resilience Building project – targeting farmers and multicultural community.

• Tree of Happiness – creative recovery project for children to share stories and discuss the idea of happiness.

• Evolved the role of the Human & Social Advisory Committee – established a vision, strategies and actions for the next 12 months.

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Key Projects – Resilience Building

(cont’d)

• Movies Under the Stars – designed to bring the community together and to get community groups working collaboratively.

- initial screening the 3 community groups raised $1,000 and in excess of 300 people attended • Mentoring for Community Grants Initiative – designed to increase the skills of community groups in applying for grants.

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Summary • There have been two major phases of work within the Human and Social program in the Lockyer Valley: • Recovery Phase  Leadership and Coordination  Case Management  Planning and Prioritising  Building Partnerships  Communication • Resilience Building Phase • Community Capacity Building  Commemoration  Healthy Lifestyles  Support, Mentoring and Advisory Services  Community Education and Training  Arts and Culture  Sharing Stories and Discussing Solutions • Regularly reviewing and evolving plans to meet community needs ICTC Conference 2012

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Outcomes & Benefits • The implementation of this program presents a large number of learning opportunities and outcomes, some of which have contributed to a more resilient Lockyer Valley including: • Increased level of coordination and engagement with all local service providers - streamlined and focused provision of services.

• Provided ongoing opportunities for the community to come together greater sense of belonging and active participation in community life.

• Provided authentic opportunities for the community to provide input and have ownership over the program being developed and implemented.

• Built the capacity and skills of local community organisations to deliver services.

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Outcomes & Benefits • Increased communication with the community. This has helped to build stronger relationships and create a more informed and aware community.

• A community that encourages healthy, connected and engaged lifestyles.

• Increased community infrastructure to meet growing community needs.

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The Final Word‌

Resilience building is the collective responsibility of all sectors of the community.

Including all levels of government, business, community organisations, and individuals.

If all these sectors work collaboratively with a shared focus and shared ownership they will be far more effective than the individual efforts of any one stakeholder.

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Thank you Contact: Acknowledgements

Leo Jensen Group Manager Community & Development Services

Councillors and staff at LVRC, the many persons who have contributed to the Human and Social program since its inception; the Nine, Seven and Ten Networks for their news footage.

In particular, the people of the Lockyer Valley region who experienced the loss of loved ones.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council P. (07) 54663513 M. 0408 709 222 E. ljensen@lvrc.qld.gov.au ICTC Conference 2012

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