January 25, 2024
A workshop held in Kumbia on Sunday by Red Earth Community Foundation explored how to build disaster resilience in the community.
The workshop was part of the “Disaster Resilient: Future Ready” (DR:FR) program which is being delivered locally by Red Earth.
It is being funded by the Minderoo Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Red Earth is administering the program both regionally and in six selected communities: Kalpowar, Dallarnil, Tansey, Proston, Cherbourg and Kumbia.
The Kumbia workshop was facilitated by Red Earth project officers Ros Heit and Kimberley Kunde and general manager Melinda Jones.
A small group of local residents explored the demographics and dynamics of the community.
Future workshops aim to identify a number of projects and/or resources that would enable Kumbia to become more resilient to future disasters, which can then be enabled or funded where necessary.
“The Burnett Inland is the only area funded under this program in Queensland,” Melinda said.
“The program is a great opportunity for rural communities to be better prepared for, and equipped to recover quicker, from future disasters.”
The evidence suggests that communities which are engaged, connected, empowered and have high social capital tend to respond and recover better from natural disasters and other disruptions which is why the DR:FR program includes a focus on local connection and collaboration, as well as funding for resources.
One of the outcomes for each community will be a Community Profile which collates all of the information collected during the workshops to provide an accurate profile of each community to local disaster management response agencies, Council and other relevant places.
Community organisations will also be able to use the Community Profile to support future funding applications, and as a catalyst for further conversations and actions at a community level.
“Kumbia is a fantastic and strong community and I’m pleased to be part of the Red Earth program that will assist the community to assess its strengths and weaknesses and identify how it can take steps to be better prepared and able to bounce back quicker and more effectively after a potential future local disaster,” Ros said.
Footnote: Similar workshops will be held in Cherbourg and Proston on Tuesday, January 30.
