Southern NSW Innovation Hub's two Preparing with Hindsight projects focused on collecting and recording the experiences of a range of landholders and community members across the pre-drought, in-drought, and drought-recovery stages of the 2018/19 event. It contributed to our priorities and focus areas, including how we work with farmers and communities to increase their resilience to drought.

Preparing with Hindsight case studies

The Preparing with Hindsight case studies project was a community engagement initiative conducted by Hub partners FarmLink Research, Central West Farming Systems, Riverine Plains, Southern Growers, Irrigated Cropping Council, Irrigation Research and Extension Committee and Holbrook Landcare Group.

The result was seven case studies about the unique experiences of different farmers across southern NSW.

• Case Study 1 - Coleambally
• Case Study 2 - Deniliquin
• Case Study 3 - Forbes
• Case Study 4 - Holbrook
• Case Study 5 - Mulwala
• Case Study 6 - Pulletop
• Case Study 7 - Tocumwal

Preparing with Hindsight community forums

Our Preparing with Hindsight community forums were held in Bega, Deniliquin and Condobolin in early 2024 as a unique opportunity for communities to reflect on their experiences of drought - both bad and good - and simultaneously prepare for the future using the wisdom of the past.

Some of the most valuable insights gathered at the forums were recommendations for the actions that need to be taken now to prepare for future droughts and climate variability. These ranged from targeted agricultural extension to better small business planning, speeding up government responsiveness to drought, increasing coordination between agencies and departments, and more investment in community development.

By organising and facilitating the Forums, Southern NSW Innovation Hub brought communities together on the topic of drought resilience, instigating new ideas, actions, and proactive preparedness for future climate variability.

Read the Preparing with Hindsight Forums report

Project lead

Southern NSW Innovation Hub

Project funding

The Preparing with Hindsight projects received funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.