Why Resilient CARE?
“Disasters are not ‘natural’. Natural hazards such as flood and fire only lead to disaster if they intersect with an exposed or vulnerable society and exceed people’s capacity to cope. Australia’s disaster risk environment is complex.”National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 2023
Disasters don’t arise solely from hazards, they happen when natural threats intersect with social and health vulnerabilities. Our region is already seeing more frequent and severe climate-related events, and many communities face ongoing barriers to care, connection, and the social foundations that support wellbeing—like safe housing, stable employment, and access to education.
Disaster events impact our health outcomes. They worsen cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, impact kidney health, and increase mental health presentations. When these events disrupt access to healthcare, housing, employment, and social supports, they undermine long-term wellbeing—especially for communities already experiencing disadvantage.
Resilient CARE is a whole-of-community response—it’s something we build together. That’s why the program focuses on local action, equitable participation, and community-led solutions—helping people and primary healthcare systems to adapt, respond and recover together.
Our Vision
Resilient CARE exists to support people across our region to live their healthiest lives— wherever they live and regardless of how the climate changes and the disasters which occur.
We’re working with communities and primary healthcare providers to strengthen resilience, improve integration, and increase participation in every phase of disaster management—from readiness through to response and recovery.
From mid-2025 to early 2028, Resilient CARE will be active across five local government areas at high risk of climate and disaster-related health impacts: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Fraser Coast.
Our Focus
Community groups & individuals
- Build local resilience to the health impacts of climate and disasters.
- Support active community involvement in disaster planning, response, and recovery
Primary healthcare providers
- Strengthen the resilience of local healthcare providers and systems.
- Enhance integration and role of primary healthcare providers in all phases of disaster
Resilient CARE activities include:
- Place-based coordinators in Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Rockhampton
- Localised climate health and disaster resilience assessments
- Co-designed solutions to address local challenges and opportunities
- Support and mentoring for local leaders and action groups
- Grant funding for primary care and community-led solutions
- Hands-on help to develop ideas, write grant submissions and implement projects
- Integration with existing disaster management planning
- LGA-level action plans to prioritise and coordinate shared goals
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
We are committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health and other services. We welcome all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.