Building preparedness
Building drought preparedness and resilience through regionally-led planning and action across Victoria
With the changing climate increasing the frequency and severity of climatic events, it is imperative for Victoria’s regional communities to be prepared for and resilient to drought.
The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund kicked off in 2020 across a range of programs to build social, economic and environmental resilience to drought across Australia.
Since 2020 the Victorian Government has co-funded the Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) program across 9 regions of Victoria. While Phase One of the RDRP program (2020-2025) is coming to an end, Phase Two will continue to be co-funded by the Victorian Government to 2029.
This website provides access to all 9 Victorian Drought Resilience Plans, shares stories, and celebrates the successful activities that are building drought resilience in Victoria.
Regional Drought Resilience Plans
In late 2023 and 2024, Victoria’s RDRP program published 9 Regional Drought Resilience Plans for 9 regions of Victoria.
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Regional Drought Resilience Plans are the result of collaboration and co-design with regional stakeholders, including local government and catchment management authorities, water corporations, community, health and other not-for-profit organisations, the agricultural sector, Victorian government agencies and the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
Each Regional Drought Resilience Plan identifies actions for the region, to build drought preparedness and resilience, in the region. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to building drought resilience, with the program supporting regions to develop Plans that are tailored to regional needs and priorities.
Implementing actions
After planning comes implementation!
In Phase One a regional organisation in each region, acting as the Plan Coordinator, received a $380,000 (excl GST) Implementation Grant. Each grant supports the region to plan for, coordinate and deliver activities aligned with the region’s Drought Resilience Plan.
A range of activities are well underway or completed across Victoria’s 9 regions. Phase Two of the RDRP program (2025-2029) will continue to focus on the implementation of activities to build resilience to drought in the regions.
