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ICC Sydney

Australian Disaster Resilience Conference 2024

Date

04 September 2024 - 05 September 2024
The Australian Disaster Resilience Conference brings together a diverse and passionate crowd from a range of sectors to share knowledge and build connections for a disaster resilient Australia.

Maintaining momentum: driving systemic change to create a more resilient future

We have entered the new normal, but we are not unprepared. The 2023 Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction revealed we have much to be proud of. A shift in mindset is underway.

Alongside a focus on excellence in response, we are increasingly attuned to underlying risk factors that lead to disaster. We are focussed on preparedness, on building resilience, on working together to strengthen and protect what we value. Driving this is growing recognition of the imperative for systemic and collaborative approaches to disaster risk management.

As the impacts of climate change are predicted to become even more frequent and intense, the need for effective disaster risk reduction and adaption efforts has intensified. Now is the time to reflect on what we are doing well, what we have learnt and how we can use this to accelerate and sustain momentum into the future.

The Australian Disaster Resilience Conference will showcase and celebrate the exceptional work taking place across our country and explore the systemic disaster risk mindset that will enable us to create a more resilient future.

What delegates said about the 2023 Australian Disaster Resilience Conference

‘I found this event an incredible opportunity to hear some highly inspiring speakers and gain fresh knowledge of available networks and resources.’

‘This conference has changed my approach by learning to never be afraid to listen to different approaches, not be afraid to pivot and to be open and empathetic when things don't go as planned.’

‘The conference gave me an overview of different perspectives (community, councils, government, funding and research bodies).’

‘I have drawn a lot of inspiration and hope from this conference. I also feel that this conference has given me a lot of knowledge regarding recovery and resilience which I would incorporate in my work.’

‘I have so many new ideas that I will take back to my teams and will be implementing new programs based on the ideas and experiences shared by speakers and colleagues.’

Resilience Lane 

After a highly successful debut in 2023, Resilience Lane returns to the Exhibition Hall at AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ. Resilience Lane is a space where not-for-profit and community-focussed organisations can showcase their work and services that strengthen community resilience.

Resilience Lane will feature 16 exhibitors in 2024:

 

  • NRMA Insurance
  • Australian Red Cross
  • Blue Shield Australia
  • Resilient Ready
  • YACVic
  • Mackillop Seasons
  • Royal Far West
  • National Indigenous Disaster Resilience
  • The Flagstaff Group
  • Foundation For Rural And Regional Renewal
  • The Salvation Army Emergency Services
  • Multicultural Emergency Management Partnership
  • Australian Breastfeeding Association
  • Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
  • Girls on Fire
  • DisasterWise Communities Network

ADRC Networking Function

5.30pm - 7.00pm | 4 Sept 2024 

This year the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference Networking Function will be held in the AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ exhibition, near Resilience Lane, where not-for-profit and community-focussed organisations will showcase their work and services that strengthen community resilience.

Join us for an enjoyable evening of networking, canapes and beverages. 

Who can attend? 

All Australian Disaster Resilience Conference ticket holders are invited to attend the Networking Function. This is an exclusive networking event for ADRC delegates only, so make sure to register and secure your place before tickets sell out.

If you are attending the AFAC Gala Dinner (tickets are sold separately) we have arranged for you to be escorted to the Gala Dinner and reserved tables have been allocated for you.

Please note the Resilient Australia NSW Awards will not be held at this event like previous years.

AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Exhibition

Australian Disaster Resilience Conference delegates will have full access to the AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Trade Exhibition: Australasia’s largest emergency management exhibition, showcasing the industry’s most impressive range of exhibitors covering all facets of emergency management equipment, technology and services.

The Exhibition also features:

  • AIDR Knowledge Centre: giving delegates the opportunity to discover the latest in research and best practice through an extensive poster display, as well as the chance to meet speakers from the conference and to vote in the People’s Choice Poster Award
  • Solutions Theatre: featuring insightful, practical presentations from industry leaders and experts
  • Demonstration Zone: showcasing live displays of new emergency management technologies and best practice examples of emergency management situations
  • Resilience Lane: a space where not-for-profit and community-focussed organisations can showcase their work and services that strengthen community resilience

Recovery to Resilience: Resilient Villages Field Trip in the Blue Mountains

6 Sept 2024 

This field trip explores resilience and recovery in the Blue Mountains through the Resilient Villages project.  Visit a Resilience Villages project site - hear from community leaders, see local initiatives in action, and explore community-led resilience building. Resilient Villages is driven by community engagement from a grassroots level; and works with some of the communities who were worst hit by the 2019-20 bushfires and floods/land-slips in the area. With the help of the project, they are driving their own journey of recovery, while at the same time building their communities’ resilience.

Who should attend? 

Recovery practitioners and policy makers; resilience practitioners and policy makers; researchers; community engagement practitioners; anyone with an interest in community-led recovery and resilience building.

This field trip is offered as part of the AFAC24 Professional Development Program. Please note that this Professional Development Program add-on is offered at the last step of the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference registration portal

For more information about the field trip download the flyer here.

Special thanks to the 2024 Australian Disaster Resilience Conference program committee

Australian Red Cross

Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia

Insurance Australia Group

Monash University

National Emergency Management Agency

Natural Hazards Research Australia

NSW Rural Fire Service

NSW Reconstruction Authority

Resilient Sydney

AFAC

AIDR

 

The Australian Disaster Resilience Conference is a carbon neutral event

To deliver our greenest conference yet, the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ are once again partnering with Trace – a sustainability consulting company that removes the barriers to climate action and empowers businesses to take immediate steps forward.

We are thrilled to continue and grow our existing efforts and introduce further sustainable practices at the event, such as:

  • Making multiple water stations available throughout the event to mitigate the amount of single-use plastic bottles purchased.
  • Producing biodegradable and recyclable event materials, such as the event lanyards, badge pouches, delegate satchels, pocket guides and tote bags.
  • Carbon offsetting all speaker and staff flights booked.
  • Co-locating the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference and the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference to reduce the carbon footprint involved with travelling to multiple events.
  • Hosting the event at the International Convention Centre, Sydney helps us to increase our sustainable practices. By partnering with a sustainably conscious venue we are supported by the comprehensive practices that underpin all the centre's daily operations.

Learn more about our sustainable partnership with Trace

Continuing the Conversation

Explore the videos below for perspectives from the 2023 Australian Disaster Resilience Conference presenters and participants.

Ngalii ngaa garima lee la jaguun, jaguun garima mebeerrd  

Oliver Costello, Jagun Aboriginal Corporation

Creating a sustainable future
Brendan Moon, National Emergency Management Agency

Using post-event research to identify policy-related research findings 
Mel Taylor, Macquarie University and Kat Haynes, Natural Hazards Research Australia

Having a seat at the table: Disability & Disasters
Leyla Craig, Fire and Rescue NSW 

That which connects us
Barbara Rix, Australian Red Cross and Jordan Nye, Muladha Gamara

Hard place/good place 
Linda Snell, Yarra Ranges Council and Willow Swaneveld, 2023 Yarra Ranges Council Young Citizen of the Year

Karuk Women's Training Exchange
Alex Lacey, Queensland Parks and Wildfire Service and Chloe Swiney, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Building disaster resilience into the school curriculum
Andrea Vis, Gingin District High School and Neil Munro, Country Fire Authority

Building a habit
Kate Retzki, Queensland Reconstruction Authority

Event partners and supporters

The Australian Disaster Resilience Conference will run in partnership with AFAC24, Australasia's largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition.