Local community knowledge plays a significant role in disaster response — providing on-the-ground situational awareness that can assist agencies like the SES and local councils, as well as residents making real-time decisions. While community-led intelligence gathering is encouraged, its legal standing and implications are unclear. This project explores the legality and responsibilities around locally collected and shared disaster intelligence, using case studies drawn from past disasters and emerging community-led resilience networks. It will feed directly into a funded project supporting community-led flood intelligence networks in NSW. Students with backgrounds in legal studies, policy, PPE, or Australian disaster management frameworks are most suitable.

Students will develop skills in scenario analysis, preparing legal opinions, applied research, and communication. They will gain a grounded understanding of Australian disaster management frameworks, the roles of different levels of government, and locally-led, place-based approaches to disaster risk reduction — a growing area of practice in the face of increasing climate-related events.

Students are required to:

• Review the Australian Disaster Preparedness Framework
• Review the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework
• Review the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework
• Review the Warnings collection at the Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub
• Identify and review relevant material in the Australian Disaster Resilience Handbook on community engagement and warnings
• Submit a brief EOI and CV as part of their Course Pathway Plan (due Week 2)

A final report outlining the implications of community collected, collated, and shared disaster intelligence. The report will cover: specific case study scenarios; existing agency and government responsibilities; and potential legal implications for residents and community organisations.

This project connects directly to real-world, active community networks currently navigating these questions on the ground. Students should expect meaningful engagement with partner organisations and the opportunity to contribute findings to a live funded initiative.