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Building drought resilience in Central West Queensland

Jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government, the Regional Drought Resilience Program (RDRP) aims to support regions to prepare for and manage future droughts.

Through the RDRP, the RAPAD and its member local governments led the development of the Central West Queensland Regional Drought Resilience Plan 2024-2030 in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Rural Economies Centre of Excellence.

The Plan provides for proactive decisions, actions and investment for drought preparedness across the Central West. It reflects extensive collaboration with local councils, regional stakeholders, industry partners and community, ensuring the priorities and actions are grounded in local knowledge and regional needs.

Work is now underway through RAPAD to deliver priority actions identified in our region’s Plan.

The CWQ Regional Drought Resilience Plan was approved by the Queensland and Australian governments in 2025.

The next phase of the Regional Drought Resilience Program will see us once again work with our community and stakeholders, this time with the aim of putting our plan into action by identifying priority projects for funding.

 

From Ideas to Impact: Strengthening Our Region’s Future

We are hitting the road to move into the next phase of the Central West Regional Drought Resilience Plan.

The impacts of drought affect us all in the Central West.

Communities and organisations can help turn the Plan priorities into practical projects in an Implementation Plan that strengthen the region’s resilience to future drought by participating in interactive discussions in centres across the region and via a virtual session.

These sessions will focus on identifying and shaping RDRP projects ready for implementation, and exploring the practical steps needed to deliver them successfully in the region.

The sessions also connect with the Future Drought Fund Communities Program, delivered by FRRR, which supports community organisations through collaborative grants and leadership development to help bring local social impact initiatives to life. This includes opportunities for local leaders to participate in the Community Impact Leadership Program, delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF).

By bringing these Future Drought Fund initiatives together, the roundtables provide a space to move plans into action across the priorities identified in the RDRP, helping turn good ideas into projects that are practical, supported and ready to progress.

Find out more and read the plan at: www.rdrpqld.org.au/region/central-west-region

Find out more about: Community Impact Program Impact Granting and Impact Leadership

 

Register to attend interactive community discussions in:

  • BARCALDINE – 27 April, 9.30am-12.30pm: Workers Heritage Centre
  • LONGREACH – 28 April, 9.30am-12.30pm: RAPAD Training Room
  • WINTON – 29 April, 10.30am – 12.30pm: Winton Neighbourhood Centre
  • VIRTUAL SESSION – 30 April: Via Teams 9.30am-12.30pm register to receive link

Lunch is provided at in-person sessions, please register to assist with catering and dietary requirements.

 

These sessions are your opportunity to:

  • Help shape the Implementation Plan
  • Collaborate on local project planning for the Central West
  • Identify key regional priorities
  • Access collaborative social impact granting funds

Who should attend:

  • Local landholders and producers
  • Local government and regional leaders
  • Industry ad business stakeholders
  • Natural resource and environmental groups
  • Health and social service providers
  • Government agencies
  • Community organisations
  • Community members
  • Grass roots not-for-profit groups

 

Register to attend at: https://forms.rapad.com.au/rdrp-rountables

 

Background

The CWQ Regional Drought Resilience Plan builds upon the Regional Resilience Strategy as part of the Queensland Government’s Strategy for Disaster Resilience, led by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

The CWQ region plan includes the RAPAD member local governments of:

  • Barcoo Shire Council
  • Barcaldine Regional Council
  • Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
  • Boulia Shire Council
  • Diamantina Shire Council
  • Longreach Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council

Through workshops, meetings, surveys and individual consultations, the plan was co-designed with a wide range of local partners and stakeholders that included: RAPAD; agricultural businesses and associations; NRM groups; First Nations groups and elders; QLD state government agencies; QFD; local government (councils, mayors, staff and groups); CSOs, NFPs and charities; local (town) businesses; educational providers; young people; health providers; banks and finance advisers; religious leaders; and consultants and advisers.

More information