The restoration of essential public assets following a natural disaster involves numerous checks and balances, often resulting in extended timeframes. As stakeholder expectations increase, the need for preparedness, organisation, and leveraging technology to expedite community recovery processes becomes more critical.
The capability for near real-time identification and assessment of Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) damage is now achievable using Starlink and cloud-based applications. Supported by high-quality pre-condition evidence, in-car identification capabilities, and AI-driven defect identification, the process of locating, identifying, and quantifying infrastructure damage has been transformed.
This technology can also enhance immediate response efforts by providing near real-time visibility of road conditions to the Disaster Coordination Centre following a natural disaster. Enhanced situational awareness, facilitated by smartphone technology, offers a scalable solution with an accessible and manageable evidence trail. This capability supports Counter Disaster and Immediate Restoration Works, reducing the risk of ineligible claims.
Moreover, technology is being utilised throughout the DRFA submission and delivery phases to provide transparency to stakeholders and ensure that sufficient evidence is available to support acquittals. This transparency enables better decision-making during the delivery phase, allowing for the identification of program efficiencies and other opportunities.
This presentation includes two case studies demonstrating how the use of technology improved outcomes for communities in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper in late 2023, and in Cabonne Shire Council following the September 2022 Flooding.