Future planning today for stronger, drought-ready communities tomorrow.

Regional Drought Resilience Planning Programs for the Burnett and Mary are taking a proactive approach, turning community insights and shared experiences into practical strategies for resilience.

Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett (RDAWBB) is leading the delivery of a Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program, following a rigorous consultation period with local community members, industry, First Nations organisations and government.  Designed to strengthen our region’s preparedness for future dry times, the program delivery will be headed by Bundaberg local Tim Sayre, who many will know from his work with Jobs Bundaberg.

Through partnerships with the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence, the Burnett and Mary Regional Drought Resilience Plans were developed with local input, ensuring strategies reflected the unique conditions, priorities and lived experiences of people across our communities. RDAWBB will now lead the next phase of turning strategy into action through projects that will deliver real benefits across the region.

The programs build on years of collaboration and planning and involves coordinating partnerships with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, establishing governance structures, and piloting innovative projects in areas such as regenerative agriculture, water and energy security, and measuring drought impacts.

While each plan responds to the specific challenges of its region, both share common goals: embedding resilience into local planning, fostering knowledge sharing through digital tools, and building long-term preparedness. The benefits will extend beyond farms, strengthening local economies, supporting healthy landscapes, and improving wellbeing across rural communities.

The program forms part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, which supports regions to develop and deliver drought resilience plans across 69 regions nationally. By investing in networks, resources and practical solutions, the Burnett and Mary Plans provide a framework for long-term action, ensuring our communities are better placed to manage drought and thrive into the future.

For the Wide Bay Burnett, this marks a new chapter in building resilience which readies us to not only be able to respond to drought when it hits, but utilise embedding strategies that help our region adapt, grow and remain strong for generations to come.

If you would like to know more about the program including workshops, action plan or how you can get involved, reach out to RDRP Program Manager Tim on tim@rdawidebayburnett.org.au or 0421 547 762

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The Regional Drought Resilience Planning program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government. Development of the plan has been supported by the Australian Government (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) and the Queensland Government (Department of Primary Industries).