Individual and community resilience to natural disasters: a comparison of bushfire and drought events in Victoria

This paper compares individual and community resilience to bushfire and drought events in Victoria. Qualitative research was conducted using focus groups and key informant interviews in two Victorian case study areas in 2010. A total of 68 interviewees were asked about their experiences of each event, including those most or least affected, the effectiveness of support services and whether communities were better prepared for future events. Bronfenbrenner's conceptual framework of influences was used as the theoretical lens with which to analyse participant responses. The bushfires generated individual and community resilience whereas the drought tested individual resilience but did not appear to build community resilience. We conclude that there is a need to build community networks before and during times of drought, and to focus on the well being of town residents not just farmers. In bushfire prone areas, newcomers need to be identified and offered support before, during and after a fire event.

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Earth: fire and rain

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978-0-9808147-4-3

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