Northern Rivers DAP Community Reference Group
A community reference group made up of Northern Rivers residents has been appointed to help shape the state’s first multi-hazard Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP).
Help shape a safer future for the Northern Rivers
Together with community, business and industry, councils and government agencies, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is developing the state's first multi-hazard Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) for the Northern Rivers region.
We are seeking input and feedback from across the region to develop a plan that reflects local knowledge, values and lived experience.
There will be a range of opportunities to have your say and help inform the development of the DAP. Upcoming opportunities will be published on this page.
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Adaptation Stories short-films
Our series of 8 short-films Adaptation Stories have completed their tour around the Northern Rivers.
Developed in partnership with Living Lab Northern Rivers, these films capture local voices of adaptation and resilience in response to a changing climate.
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What Matters Most workshops
We have wrapped up our series of ‘What Matters Most’ values workshops, which have been delivered across the region in partnership with Living Lab Northern Rivers.
Stay tuned for updates on how this valuable information will help shape the Northern Rivers DAP.
Online community values survey
Our online survey closed on Sunday 26 October 2025. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback through the survey.
Stay involved in other ways
There are many ways to be involved in the development of the Northern Rivers DAP over the coming months. The engagement will also include:
- Community conversations and technical group roundtables
- Engagement through local organisations and networks
- Engagement with Aboriginal communities
- Community pop-ups across the region.
If you want to be involved, please subscribe to receive updates for the Northern Rivers. We will be providing updates on engagement and progress of the Northern Rivers DAP development.
We encourage anyone who is interested in the Northern Rivers DAP to get involved through our engagement activities. For further information, please contact: NRDAP@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au
Information about the Northern Rivers DAP
The Northern Rivers covers 7 local government areas: Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and the Tweed. Home to more than 310,000 residents and 30,000 businesses, the region has one of the highest natural disaster risk profiles in the state. There are 9 natural hazards that will be considered in the Northern Rivers DAP. They are bushfires, coastal erosion and inundation, earthquakes, floods, heatwaves, landslips, storms and cyclones, tornadoes and tsunamis.
The Northern Rivers DAP will identify what actions are needed to reduce the risk of disasters where we can, or to adapt where we can’t. These actions will take into account climate change, which may make disasters more frequent and more intense.
