The Resilience Matters webinar series will focus on systems, environments and human factors that intersect to influence the varying levels of risk, harm and equity that people experience before, during and after a disaster. 

Presenters from a variety of research, government and community backgrounds will be invited to provide their insights and perspectives as we seek to understand how we can reduce harm in these systems to reduce disaster risk and build resilience.

Throughout the series, we will build on these foundational concepts. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you are an experienced practitioner or new to these concepts, or somewhere in between.

Look out for new webinars as they are developed and added to the events calendar.

Webinar seven: The role of local government in disaster risk reduction

Tuesday 14 April 2026

Local governments are central to reducing disaster risk and shaping safer, more resilient communities. The decisions councils make every day about land use, infrastructure, governance and community engagement can either lock in future risk or actively reduce it.

This webinar, part of AIDR’s Resilience Matters series, focuses on the leadership role of local government in disaster risk reduction. It explores how councils can move beyond response and recovery to embed risk reduction into core business, decision making and long term planning. Drawing on perspectives from both regional and urban councils, presenters will share practical examples of how disaster risk reduction is being integrated across council systems, policies and partnerships.

Participants will hear what has worked, what has been challenging, and where councils are seeing the greatest impact. The session will highlight real world approaches that can inform strategic planning, governance and investment decisions, and support councils to better manage increasing climate and disaster risks.

Designed to be practical and accessible, this webinar will be particularly valuable for councillors, executives, senior managers and council staff, as well as emergency management practitioners and planners, and others working within or alongside not for profit and public sector organisations. It is particularly relevant for those with responsibility for leadership, strategy or decision making who are seeking to strengthen their approach to disaster risk reduction and community resilience.

Presenters:

Gemma Edwards
Strategic Initiatives Lead, Bega Valley Shire Council

Gemma is in the role of Strategic Initiatives Lead at Bega Valley Shire Council. Initially joining to lead a pilot project with CSIRO, her work focuses on testing and implementing strategies to support adaptation.

She is currently leading a whole-of-Council change program, taking a systemic approach to organisational improvement to embed resilience in decision-making processes and BAU operations.

Working in rural and regional local government has shaped her perspective, providing direct insight into how decisions impact communities, and the political and social dynamics that influence them.

While completing a Master of Anthropology at the Australian National University, her thesis explored the “politics of planning.” Her work continues to examine the hidden systems shaping decision-making, and how these dynamics influence what is feasible for climate adaptation in local government.

Jason Collins
Coordinator Emergency Management, Maribyrnong City Council

Jason has over 20 years’ experience in emergency management including government, utilities and the not-for-profit sectors, and is currently the Coordinator Emergency Management with Maribyrnong City Council in Melbourne.

After starting as a volunteer with NSW SES, Jason joined the paid ranks (kind of) working with Australian Red Cross, gaining experience around Australia and internationally before being lured to government.

Since joining the public sector, Jason has been the Chief Officer - Northern Territory Emergency Services, NSW Deputy State Recovery Controller, and held executive roles with NSW Premiers Department, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), EM NSW, NSW Reconstruction Authority, and Tamworth Regional Council.

Now working locally across the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery domains, Jason is keen to ensure that community led is not just a policy statement.

Moderator:

John Richardson
Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR)