Call for community input to help reduce the risks of natural hazards

Published on 09 December 2025

People across the Singleton local government area (LGA) are being encouraged to share their experiences and local knowledge of natural hazards to inform a new strategy focused on reducing disaster risks.  

Singleton Council has secured State and Federal government funding to develop a Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (DRRS) to be a blueprint for reducing the community’s exposure and vulnerability to natural hazards affecting the Singleton region, including floods, bushfires, heat events, storms and earthquakes.

The document will include prioritised actions over the short, medium and long-term and enable better incorporation of disaster risk reduction considerations into Council planning and operations.

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said community input was vital to ensure local knowledge and priorities shape the strategy.

“We plan for response, but as we face increasing extreme weather events, we want to shift the focus to how to reduce the risks in the first place,” she said.

“That’s why we need to hear from our community about what’s happened before, what the current conditions are, what people are concerned about in the event of a disaster, and possible solutions.

“The strategy area encompasses the entire Singleton LGA, with the aim to identify the risks and challenges that we are facing as well as what strengths we can build on to reduce those risks.”

The strategy will also help meet NSW Government requirements for regional disaster adaptation planning and support Council to access disaster mitigation funding.

Cr Moore said there were a number of ways for everyone to provide input.

“You can meet with Council staff and the consultant at face-to-face events and workshops over the coming months, email GHD at contact@ghd.com or call 1800 066 243,” she said.

“Or you can head to Council’s website to use our online mapping tool to drop a virtual pin to identify how disasters have affected people, places and assets in our LGA, as well as vulnerable areas or access routes that are difficult to travel, community features such as support groups or safe spaces, and locations that are more exposed or at risk during disasters.

“We also want to hear suggestions about how to lower risks and protect people and property from disasters, and what we recognise as important places and critical services including natural areas, cultural landmarks, water, power and communication.”

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