Sometimes what communities care most about isn't what the data suggests they should worry about most.

When it comes to climate adaptation, the Northern Rivers faces a complex challenge: how do you develop plans that work for dozens of different communities, each with their own priorities and concerns?

Working with Parallel Lines founder and designer Chris Gaul and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, we've created something entirely new. After extensive research, we couldn't find an existing methodology that measures or maps the values communities hold about where they live. So we designed our own.

Our workshop methodology gets to the heart of what communities value. It's not just about identifying risks—it's about understanding what people want to protect and why. The approach is both systematic and flexible, giving communities tools to articulate their values while providing decision-makers with insights to create adaptation plans that align with local priorities.

The workshop explores the tensions directly. Where do community values conflict with identified vulnerabilities? What gets prioritised when resources are limited?

Community values workshops for a future Northern Rivers.

A new plan for reducing disaster risk

The Northern Rivers’ first Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) is being developed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority — a comprehensive action plan to reduce risk and to prepare for natural hazards like floods and fires, climate change and future challenges.

Community values workshops

We’re working to ensure community values are at the centre of this process. Through our What Matters Most workshops, we’re bringing together residents from across the Northern Rivers to share what they care most about and what concerns them. This workshop will help us understand what people value most about living here, and how we can adapt to future challenges while protecting those things.

Across the Northern Rivers

We’re hosting workshops across the region. In a well-designed inclusive workshop, locals can share what they value most about where they live—what they want to protect, what concerns them and what priorities should guide our region’s future.

Local knowledge shapes planning

These insights will become part of the evidence-base that informs the Disaster Adaptation Plan—influencing immediate and longer term actions that to reduce future risks for our region. This is an opportunity to ensure that planning decisions reflect what each community believes is important for its future. 

Learn more about the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan.

Interested to participate? 

We are hosting workshops in Grafton, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah in September and October, that are open to everyone. They free, inclusive and locally hosted.
Places are limited so registration is essential.
Visit our event page to learn more, and register to participate.