Central Orana Regional Drought Resilience Program

Dubbo Regional Council and Narromine Shire Council

Overview

Dubbo Regional Council and Narromine Shire Council partnered under the NSW Government’s Regional Drought Resilience Program (RDRP) to strengthen the region’s preparedness for future droughts. Funded through:

the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and administered by NSW DPIRD, the program enabled development of the Central Orana Regional Drought Resilience Plan. It is practical, evidence-based roadmap to safeguard community wellbeing, strengthen local businesses, support agriculture and protect natural resources.

Priority actions identified in the plan

Through extensive consultation and technical analysis, eight prioritised actions were identified to strengthen self reliance, social capital and economic resilience across the region. The actions focus on:

• Strengthening mental health visibility and coordination

• Improving community engagement through digital platforms

• Providing expert education on drought science and forecasts

• Developing a Drought Communications Strategy

• Supporting and diversifying the local economy

• Implementing existing economic development strategies

• Delivering a Business Resilience Program

• Undertaking agricultural education and needs analysis

Planning to implementation

Drought Preparedness Roadshow (August 2025)

Delivered across Dubbo, Narromine and Wellington, the roadshow marked the transition from plan development to active implementation. The program included:

• Expert panel discussions

• Mental health and wellbeing sessions

• Sustainable farming and diversification workshops

• Financial planning and risk management workshops

• Business innovation sessions

• Screening of Just A Farmer movie

Impact:

Strengthened cross-sector collaboration, improved understanding of drought as a whole of community issue and increased awareness of preparedness tools and supports.

Drought Communications

Council’s aim is to provide improved access to reliable information, reduced misinformation and strengthened coordination across agencies and community stakeholders

• Council has developed a Central Orana Drought Communications Strategy that provides a communications framework for councils and identifies overall drought communication and stakeholder engagement objectives.

• Council has progressed development of the Central Orana Drought Hub microsite and Narromine Shire Council’s community engagement webpage. The Drought Hub will host roadshow recordings, trusted drought data and dashboards, research and educational materials, mental health resources and support services.

Intended outcomes:

Enhance community engagement through improved digital platforms, develop a coordinated Drought Communications Strategy that delivers consistent, timely and trusted messaging across all phases of drought and provide accessible expert education, resources and tools to strengthen understanding of drought science, forecasts and preparedness measures.

Drought Resilience Activation - Pilot Program

The next stage of implementation is a place-based Pilot Program in Narromine, designed to embed leadership, coordination and practical action at the community level. The Pilot will:

• Establish a cross-sector leadership cohort

• Improve coordination between agriculture, business and community services

• Develop practical, short-term actions

• Strengthen preparedness and confidence across sectors

Intended outcomes:

Practical action and stronger coordination, clearer leadership pathways, faster decision-making, improved community confidence before drought conditions emerge and normalising drought as part of our landscape and planning accordingly.