Working together during extreme conditions
While Albury has not been directly impacted by fire, these events are a timely reminder that natural hazards do not recognise borders and that regional communities are closely connected by geography, infrastructure, economies and people.
Extreme weather is not new to our part of the world. What is increasingly evident, however, is the variety and intensity of conditions communities must be prepared for within a short period of time. Heat, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and bushfire risk each place different pressures on a city and require careful planning, rather than a reliance on response once conditions escalate. For AlburyCity, preparedness is not a seasonal exercise. It is a core part of how we plan, invest and operate throughout the year.
Recent flash flooding in parts of Albury is a clear example of this challenge. Short, intense rainfall events tested existing drainage and stormwater infrastructure. While these networks are maintained and upgraded on an ongoing basis, no system can eliminate flooding risk entirely. Events like this reinforce the importance of long-term planning and careful prioritisation of investment to strengthen infrastructure performance under extreme conditions.
Extreme heat presents its own set of pressures. Prolonged hot weather affects roads, public buildings and open spaces, influences how and when outdoor work can be safely undertaken, and increases demand on energy and water systems. It also has direct impacts on health and wellbeing, particularly for older residents, young children and people with existing health conditions. Even when bushfires occur some distance away, smoke and degraded air quality can affect daily life, outdoor activities and community events.
Bushfires also have broader regional impacts that extend beyond immediate emergency response. They can disrupt forestry operations, affect seasonal workers and flow-on employment, and create uncertainty for businesses and investors. These economic impacts are often felt well after fire fronts are contained and are an important consideration for regional centres like Albury that rely on strong cross-border connections.
Council’s role in extreme weather is not limited to emergency management. While we work closely with NSW emergency services and neighbouring councils to ensure clear communication and coordination during periods of heightened risk, much of our responsibility sits earlier in the planning cycle. This includes ensuring infrastructure is designed and maintained to perform under stress, that public spaces provide shade and cooling where possible, and that planning decisions support a city that can function safely during a range of extreme conditions.
Urban tree canopy, shaded play spaces, water-sensitive design, drainage capacity and the materials used in buildings all influence how extreme weather is experienced locally. These considerations are increasingly embedded in how Council plans new projects and renews existing assets.
At the same time, preparedness must be balanced with financial sustainability. Council is responsible for making careful decisions about where and when investment occurs. Strengthening resilience to extreme weather requires long-term planning, prioritisation and disciplined budgeting. Finding the right balance between meeting immediate needs, maintaining existing assets and preparing for future conditions is one of the most complex challenges facing local government.
There are also moments when practical, short-term measures are appropriate. With extreme heat across the region, Council offered $5 family swims at all Albury Wodonga Aquatic Facilities sites from 7 to 9 January, providing an affordable and accessible way for families to stay cool and safe during peak heat conditions, while making use of existing community infrastructure.
Council also has a responsibility to ensure our workforce can operate safely during extreme conditions. This includes adjusting work practices during heatwaves or severe weather, reviewing service delivery on high-risk days, and supporting staff who are often working outdoors or responding to changing conditions.
For the broader community, extreme weather events are a reminder of the importance of patience, kindness and shared responsibility. During emergencies and recovery periods, emergency services and support agencies are working under significant pressure to respond and assist as quickly as possible. Understanding this, staying informed through official channels and supporting one another, particularly those who may be more vulnerable, makes a meaningful difference.
Looking ahead, the lessons from recent events will continue to inform Council’s planning and investment decisions. While no city can remove risk entirely, we can reduce impacts through careful design, strong partnerships and realistic long-term thinking. Extreme weather is part of our regional reality, and preparing for it requires consistency rather than short-term fixes.
As a Council, our focus remains on planning for the city we have today while preparing responsibly for the conditions we are likely to face in the years ahead. Extreme weather reinforces why sound planning, strong partnerships and an informed community are central to Albury’s future.
Gael Evans-Barr
AlburyCity Acting CEO