This post is authored by Assoc Prof Valerie Ingham | AGSPS and Dr Lucia Wuersch | SOB
Three years ago A/Prof Valerie Ingham, Australian Graduate School of Policing & Security, and Dr Lucia Wuersch, School of Business, formed a partnership with researchers from The University of Sydney in a project called Resilient Villages. It was funded by the Federal Government’s ‘Preparing Local Communities – local stream’ won by Mountains Community Resource Network , and conducted with participating communities in the Blue Mountains. The project has concluded with the publication of Resilient Villages Action Research Project – Final Report. What follows is their story in their own words.
As members of the Research Team, we worked with Resilient Villages community workers to support their planning and strategy with each participating village, the goal being to develop Resilient Action Plans (RAPs). A RAP is a comprehensive document outlining how a community, organisation, or individual can build their capacity to withstand and recover from potential disruptions or disasters. The aim was to work with communities to enhance and support local, long-term, community-led initiatives, rather than establish new programs that communities could not sustain post-funding. Recognising the unique histories and contexts of individuals and each community, the team avoided a one-size-fits-all model for disaster resilience planning. Instead, we adapted community development principles to fit local needs, highlighting the necessity for adaptable guidelines rather than prescriptive templates.
We attended and participated in various local events, such as the Megalong Valley Expos and Makers Markets in several villages. As a result of the in-person engagement in different local settings our existing partnerships were strengthened and new connections were formed. We anticipate these community connections will help us to initiate future projects.
Pictured right: (left to right) Assoc Prof Alain Neher, Assoc Prof Valerie Ingham, and Dr Lucia Wuersch
Our research found that an integrated trauma-informed approach, coupled with community development and coordination with emergency management agencies, is essential for building and maintaining local community disaster resilience. The Resilient Villages model suggests a shift from traditional top-down strategies to more flexible, locally informed practices, which could influence frameworks such as the NSW State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 and guide local councils in their disaster preparedness and response initiatives.
The research will be presented at the 9th Regulating for Decent Work Conference organised by the International Labour Office, taking place from 2-4 July 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
References
Howard, A., Ingham, V., Massola, C., Rawsthorne, M., Santos, A., & Wuersch, L. (2025). Resilient villages action research project – final report. On behalf of Mountains Community Resources Network. https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/605831651/RESILIENT_VILLAGES_REPORT_LOW_RES.pdf
Wuersch, L., & Ingham, V. (2025). Resilience action plans for safe workplaces in disaster-prone communities: A case study in the Blue Mountains, Australia. In The 9th Conference of the Regulating for Decent Work Network: Strengthening labour institutions and worker voice to deliver decent employment, Geneva, Switzerland, 2-4 July. https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/resilience-action-plans-for-safe-workplaces-in-disaster-prone-com