A new report outlining what can be learned from the experiences of people affected by the 2022-23 flooding in South Australia, Victoria and south-western New South Wales was published today, shedding vital insights about the information, communication and response in their local communities.
Conducted by Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) in partnership with RMIT University, Macquarie University and Monash University, as well as South Australian SES, Victoria SES and New South Wales SES, researchers gathered the experiences of people affected by the sudden-onset and longer lead time riverine flooding experienced by these areas between August 2022 and March 2023.
Lead researcher, ARC Future Fellow and Principal Research Fellow Dr Erica Kuligowski from RMIT University believes community resilience is key.
“If there is one overarching lesson from this project, it is that disaster resilience is built long before the water arrives, and it depends on trust, inclusion and listening to the people who know their places best,” Dr Kuligowski said.
“With most people who participated in the project expecting future flooding, this research makes it clear that adaptation can’t be left to individuals alone. Flood resilience requires coordinated water management, clear communication, adequate insurance and genuine partnerships with communities—especially those who have lived with flood risk for generations.”
Dr Kuligowski highlighted the power of local knowledge, cultural authority and lived experience during natural hazards.
“One of the most powerful messages in this research is that communities are not passive recipients of disaster—they are active agents of response, recovery and resilience,” Dr Kuligowski said.
“When people’s local knowledge, cultural authority and lived experience are respected and included, disaster management becomes more effective and more just.
“This project shows that floods are not just environmental events—they are deeply social experiences, shaped by history, culture, communication and trust.
“By bringing together evidence from three states and diverse communities, we were able to see how the same flood can be lived in profoundly different ways, and why a one‑size‑fits‑all approach to disaster management simply doesn’t work.”
Dr Kuligowski paid tribute to the many people, communities and organisations who participated in the research.
“I want to acknowledge the organisations in our Project Reference Group for their unwavering commitment to public safety and for engaging so thoughtfully with this research,” Dr Kuligowski said.
“I also want to thank every participant who gave their time and shared their perspectives on a deeply personal and often painful experience. Sharing these experiences was not easy, and the trust they placed in us is something I will remember always.”
Download the Final Report and Summary Report.