A group of concerned hinterland residents are wanting to create a network of people/communities to give voice to the unique needs of their communities during and following natural disasters such as the recent flooding.
Experience of this and earlier events demonstrate that without a strong, united hinterland voice, communities outside the more urban population centres are impacted by unreasonably lengthy delays during response and recovery, especially when it comes to restoring access, infrastructure such as roads, bridges, transport and community facilities.
Key principles
Key principles for hinterland life: Cherish, support and strengthen the community spirit and practicality that came to the fore during the floods as the most effective response when communities become isolated during a natural disaster.
Defend the ongoing legitimacy of hinterland communities in their own right and their importance as tributary contributors to the urban centres of our area, particularly in food production and general well-being.
Recognise that infrastructure has to be built back better (not merely replaced) to achieve a higher level of resilience during all phases of natural disasters, and that this should be structured around the specific needs of each hinterland community.
Ensure that hinterland communities can express their needs for safer and robust infrastructure renewal through direct inclusion of hinterland voices in the planning, design and allocation of funding during the recovery and reconstruction phase.
Next steps
These concerned hinterland residents acknowledge that the single most important thing hinterland communities can do immediately is to help build networks and capacity within their communities to get through the recovery phase and draw strength to better respond to future events.
At the same time, they recognise the value of combining and linking hinterland voices from the various hinterland communities now as the funding to support local resilience and planning for rebuilding community infrastructure begins to roll out.
If you think this is a worthwhile idea and would like to find out more, or work in this hinterland network building project please email: [email protected] or call/text: 0411 268 039
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