WSROC's Western Sydney Disaster Resilience Forum brought together nine councils and partner agencies to discuss the challenges facing local government before, during and after disasters.

A key message from the forum was that there is nothing inevitable about the impacts of disasters. Decisions about how and where we plan, build and invest can influence the risks communities face.

The forum highlighted the importance of shifting the focus from recovery towards risk reduction, while strengthening relationships and knowledge sharing between councils and emergency management partners.

Importantly, councils have told WSROC they want the conversation to continue.

Following the forum, WSROC surveyed participants about opportunities for regional collaboration. Responses strongly supported regular networking forums, communities of practice, shared resources and case studies, lessons-learned sessions, peer mentoring and practical training. Councils also identified opportunities for joint projects, funding applications, resource sharing and stronger advocacy.

There was particularly strong support for a follow-up discussion ahead of summer, with 100 per cent of respondents either very interested or interested in attending a further session.

Participants also highlighted the value of creating a broader Western Sydney network that brings together operational and delivery staff, councils, emergency services and state agencies to share lessons, resources and practical experience.

WSROC is now exploring opportunities to establish an ongoing Disaster Resilience Network and is considering a follow-up discussion in November focused on council experience sharing and preparedness ahead of summer.