About

The Northern and Yorke Regional Alliance developed a Regional Drought Resilience Plan (NYRDRP) to prepare for and manage future drought risks. The NYRDRP was prepared as a framework to guide future effort and investment in regional drought resilience. The plan was jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia. The following organisations were represented in the Northern and Yorke Regional Alliance who prepared the NYRDRP:   

  • Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North

  • Regional Development Australia Barossa, Gawler, Light and Adelaide Plains 

  • Regional Development Australia Far North

  • Northern and Yorke Local Government Association 

  • Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Community input from the Adelaide Plains, Barossa, Mid North, Yorke Peninsula and Southern Flinders Ranges was the key feature of engagement activities in the development of the NYRDRP

The following local government authorities are included in the boundary of the Northern and Yorke Regional Drought Resilience Plan:

  • Adelaide Plains Council

  • Barossa Council

  • Barunga West Council

  • Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council

  • Copper Coast Council

  • Flinders Ranges Council (southern districts)

  • Regional Council of Goyder

  • Light Regional Council

  • District Council of Mount Remarkable

  • Northern Areas Council

  • Orroroo Carrieton Council

  • District Council of Peterborough

  • Port Pirie Regional Council

  • Wakefield Regional Council

  • Yorke Peninsula Council

  • Creating the Plan

    The Northern and Yorke Regional Drought Resilience Plan was developed between 2021 and 2023 by a local consortium of government agencies, with Edge Environment, Healthy Environs and Yarran Business Services appointed to lead community engagement and preparation of the Plan. Engagement was undertaken with farmers, businesses and communities across the region to understand their experiences, priorities and future drought risks

  • Building Resilience

    Community engagement provided valuable insights into how drought affected communities across the Northern and Yorke of South Australia and what resilience meant to people throughout the region. Experiences varied considerably, reflecting differences in climate, local conditions and exposure to drought. These insights helped identify regional priorities and opportunities to strengthen economic, social and environmental resilience.

  • Preparing for the Future

    The Northern and Yorke Regional Drought Resilience Plan provides a pathway for building a more drought-resilient region. Drawing on community knowledge and priorities, it identifies practical actions and opportunities to strengthen preparedness, support adaptation and build long-term resilience to future drought and changing climatic conditions.

  • Being Informed

    The Northern and Yorke Regional Drought Resilience Plan supports communities to prepare for future drought and adapt to changing climatic conditions. It identifies the information, infrastructure, networks and practical actions needed to strengthen resilience and respond to the economic, environmental and social impacts of drought.

Our Process

  • Community consultation began in December 2021 and engaged more than 100 people from across the Northern and Yorke region, including farmers, scientists, business owners, community groups, Traditional Owners and representatives from all levels of government. Their local knowledge and experience provided valuable insights into the impacts of drought and helped shape the Key Insights Report, identifying key themes, priorities and opportunities to strengthen drought resilience across the region.

  • Following the completion of the Key Insights Report, community members were invited to provide feedback on the key themes and priorities identified. Four community workshops were held at Mallala, Maitland, Orroroo and Eudunda, providing an opportunity for participants to discuss the findings, share their perspectives and help inform the development of the Northern and Yorke Drought Resilience Plan.

    The Key Insights Report captured the findings from the earlier stages of consultation and helped guide the priorities and actions ultimately included in the Plan.

  • The final Northern and Yorke Drought Resilience Plan was completed and submitted to the South Australian Government for assessment in July 2022. Following an independent assessment by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Plan received Commonwealth Government approval.

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