Residents in the Dandenong Ranges have first-hand experience of living through a natural disaster. They also know all too well the importance of good communication during difficult times.
Two years on from the devastating storms of June 2021, the Ranges Trader is supporting an initiative to improve communication between emergency responders and locals in times of disaster.
This has led to the launch of Storm Talk, an innovative partnership between local media and natural hazards experts, which encourages Dandenong Ranges residents to share their experiences of communication during the storms and awareness about such natural hazard events.
The project is funded by Natural Hazards Research Australia and delivered in partnership with a team of researchers at Deakin University.
“Our research team wants to know how community members received information before, during, and after the storm – and what could be improved,” the project’s lead researcher, Dr Gabi Mocatta said.
Over the next few weeks, the newspaper will run a series of articles presenting local perspectives on communication during the 2021 storms.
Residents are also being asked to fill out a survey or consider attending an invited community forum to share insights and experiences about where they receive information about disasters and how that process could be improved.
“We want to find out, for example, where good communication might have saved lives and property, and where it helped bring people together,” Dr Mocatta said.
“We also want to know where there are gaps in education, communication and awareness about natural hazard events, like the 2021 storms.”
The 2021 storms brought down 25,000 trees and damaged 173 properties, all in the middle of some of the strictest Covid-19 lockdown conditions in the world.
Many Hills residents were left without power for months. For some, the impact of the storms is still being felt, as damage to property is slowly repaired.
Unfortunately, compound natural hazards – disasters on top of disasters – are becoming increasingly common in Australia. Communication and awareness initiatives are key to preparation for future disasters.
“We are hoping that community members will join in the discussion and help us understand what worked well and what really needs to change about the way we communicate natural hazards,” Dr Mocatta said.
Star Mail editor Mikayla van Loon agrees.
“Our newspaper wants to use its leadership and passion for the community to help bring people together for these important conversations,” she said.
The community forum will be held on Saturday 11 November.
If you would like to participate, please express your interest by contacting Gabi Mocatta on gabi.mocatta@deakin.edu.au or completing the form https://forms.office.com/r/G3BFfsZGD6.
