Happy Valley Rural Fire Brigade and Happy Valley Community Association recently received a Resilient Australia Award.

The awards recognise outstanding contributions in each state and territory across six categories: community, business, local Government, Government, school and photography. They celebrate initiatives that build disaster resilience, recognising collaboration and innovation.

Triggered by the 2018 assessment that the Happy Valley community was ‘undefendable’, the Happy Valley Community Bushfire Risk Management Project is the culmination of a community-driven planning and development process.

Hazard mitigation, reduction planning and delivery were critical components supported by community engagement and education. As a result, community members’ knowledge, skills and networks were combined to deliver two key documents – an Operational Incident Action Plan (IAP) (6 Dec 2020) and the Hazard Reduction and Fire management Plan (17 Feb 2020).

The project ensured the Happy Valley community, with input from several Local and State Government Agencies, was in the best possible position to defend themselves when threatened by bushfire. The project’s success was evident when, on 7 December 2020, the K’gari bushfire impacted the Happy Valley Township Reserve with no loss of life or property due to prior preparation and planning.

The Resilient Australia Awards are proudly sponsored by the Australian Government in partnership with the states and territories and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).

Article contributed by Happy Valley Community Association