Innovation and deadlock in governing disasters and climate change collaboratively - Lessons from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia

100%

upww-2026-02-07_14_07_28-msnaught-2024-innovation-and-deadlock-of-collaborative-governing.pdf

ABSTRACT

Both scholars and global policy point to the need for, and effectiveness of, locally-led and collaborative disaster and climate change practices. However, there is a need for analysing how these collaborative approaches are developed and used in practice in different contexts. This paper outlines the use of collaborative approaches by a climate change and disaster community of practice across seven local government areas in the Northern Rivers region, New South Wales, Australia. The region has experienced multiple large-scale flood and bushfire disasters since twenty seventeen. This ethnographic study uses established collaborative governance and adaptive governance theoretical frameworks to draw findings from: lived experiences of researchers, twenty-two interviews with diverse stakeholder groups, in-person and online events and the first author's research diary. The findings indicate that collaborative practice in response to disasters and climate change has resulted in both effective outcomes and multi-dimensional challenges, which have lasting implications for communities across the Northern Rivers region. Three critical leverage points for enhanced collaboration and effectiveness were identified. First, improved use and flow of information such as climate projections and place- and needs-based information. Second, mindset shifts that value community knowledge and contributions, and improved practice through enhancing skills in community development and community-led recovery in disaster and climate change practitioners. Lastly, collectively moving from reactive to proactive responses to climate change and disasters. These insights provide an opportunity for improving the design of community-based risk reduction programs and multi-stakeholder governance arrangements into the future, in the state of New South Wales and beyond.

One. Introduction

Two. Key concepts, analytical frameworks and research design

Two point two. Collaborative and adaptive governance frameworks

Two point three. Research design

Two point four. Researcher positionality: living with disasters

Three. Research context: Northern Rivers - rolling hills, rolling disasters

Three point one. The case of Lismore

Three point two. Climate change in NSW

Three point three. Recent disasters

Four. Results

Four point one. Starting conditions

Four point one point one. Motivations

Four point one point two. Trust/respect

Four point one point three. Power

Five. Design - level of formality and stakeholder participation

Six. Collaborative process - 'what they did together'

Seven. Outcomes (benefits and challenges)

Seven point one. Beneficial outcomes of collaborative approaches

Seven point two. Challenges encountered

Eight. System interactions

Nine. Factors enhancing local level collaboration for resilience

Nine point one. Collaborative leadership

Ten. Discussion

Ten point one. Paradoxes of collaborative governance

Ten point two. Evolving disaster and climate change landscape

Ten point three. Towards a paradigm shift: interweaving emergency management and community development

Ten point four. Improved information flow, repairing trust

Ten point five. The need for enhanced skills in disaster and climate change fields of practice

Eleven. Conclusion

Funding

Declaration of competing interest

Data availability

Objectives

Community Warnings

Building Community Resilience

Part Nine - Recovery Definition

Scope

Impact Assessment Initial recovery impact assessment

Overview

The document investigates the role of collaborative governance in managing disasters and climate change, highlighting insights from a community of practice across multiple local government areas. It identifies key leverage points for improving collaboration in disaster response and climate action.

Key Points

1Collaborative governance is essential for effective disaster management and climate action
2The Northern Rivers region has experienced significant challenges due to recent disasters
3Key leverage points include improved information flow and community engagement
4The study identifies the need for mindset shifts among practitioners and stakeholders
5Effective governance requires transitioning from reactive to proactive approaches in disaster management

Details

Authors: Rebecca McNaught, Johanna Nalau, Rob Hales, Emma Pittaway, John Handmer, Jean Renouff
Category: Government and Policy

PDF
Guidelines for the Motu Proprio Review of Mergers and Acquisitions in Digital Markets
This document provides guidelines issued by the Philippine Competition Commission for the review of mergers and acquisitions in digital markets, aimed at ensuring competition and preventing anti-competitive practices.
PDF
PHILIPPINE COMPETITION COMMISSION
This document outlines the guidelines for the motu proprio review of mergers and acquisitions in digital markets by the Philippine Competition Commission, detailing legal justifications, indicators for potential competition issues, and examples of transactions that may require review.
PDF
Unclear by Design: Strategic Ambiguity in Ireland's Military Neutrality Policy
This paper analyzes Ireland's military neutrality policy, highlighting how strategic ambiguity in its articulation allows for flexibility and aligns with varying domestic and international expectations while avoiding the costs of explicit commitments.
PDF
Finance Minister Nicola Willis warned New Zealand not to exp
Finance Minister Nicola Willis warned New Zealand not to expect a lolly scramble in Budget 2026, and anyone holding out hope for an election-year surprise may come away disappointed. The Government’s Budget,
PDF
Tax Declaration of Real Property
This document serves as the tax declaration for a real property in the Philippines, detailing ownership, assessed value, and tax payment status. It includes relevant information about property classification and past ownership.