Study shows collaboration saves lives in climate emergency

Research between La Trobe University and Northern Victorian Emergency Management Cluster found that a joint emergency response by five local councils to the 2022 flood event not only protected people and property but redefined how regional organisations can work together in an era of increasing climate emergencies.

The Cluster involves Campaspe Shire Council, Central Goldfields Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Shire Council, and Mount Alexander Shire Council.

The report, Strengthening Collaborative Emergency Management led by Climate Change Adaptation Lab’s Dr Lisa de Kleyn and Ashley Fletcher, emphasised the importance of collaboration in managing extreme events including integrated local knowledge, sharing resources, and building relationships of trust.

However, as the study found, local government and collaborative arrangements need to be funded and facilitated to deepen collaboration for future events.

The research also took a collaborative approach, which has its own benefits. As de Kleyn said, this was “all about relationships,– giving people the space to think about their experiences in emergency management and during the flood event, and to process those experiences. It’s also time to reflect on issues and consider ways to shape emergency management. The local governments shared challenges such as increasing roles and responsibilities and constrained resourcing.”

The study also contributed to a deeper understanding of the training needs of local government, especially in emergency management, and informed an internal review that the Cluster had initiated.

“Local knowledge, and local relationships are vital to effective response, and staff need to be supported so that they can have long-term careers in such a challenging situation. To really understand this, and the complexities of the situation, we need to keep telling these stories,” de Kleyn said.