The Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) has committed to support communities and diversify regional economies under its Future Ready Regions Strategy, to ensure regional NSW is well-prepared to deal with the next drought. The Strategy includes a commitment by NSW government to develop the Drought Signals Framework that will support state and local government policy and program decisions on scaling drought responses as conditions change. DRNSW has developed an initial concept of the Framework (Drought Signals 0.5), focusing on monitoring social and economic emerging risk and vulnerability evidence, identifying the most important ‘signals’ to look for and the most practical ‘indicators’ to measure them. Work to date has focussed on identifying and evaluating a set of key physical, social and economic indicators that reflect the multifaceted impacts of drought on regional communities in NSW. These indicators help define the different stages of drought by identifying early warning signs, measuring the impact of drought as conditions deteriorate, and detecting when communities begin to recover as drought eases. DRNSW aims to finalise the first full version of the Framework, expanding its scope to put more emphasis on community level data and socio-economic indicators that could be used by communities in their preparation for and response to future drought cycles. This expanded Framework will help develop a collective understanding across NSW of the indicators that predict the extent, impact and severity of an impending drought. Once finalised, the Framework will be used to develop Drought Signals into a functional product that collates, summarises and presents up-to-date indicators and related analysis. This will give DRNSW, other government agencies and key community stakeholders quick, accurate and meaningful data to assist in early identification of drought risks to regional communities. It will help to identify areas for drought support and measure the supports’ effectiveness, so that policy and program managers can make better informed decisions.

For example, DRNSW is currently working with several local Councils to develop Regional Drought Resilience Plans (RDRP), to help them prepare for and manage future drought risks. Drought Signals 1.0 will be an integral component in the development and implementation of these RDRPs, providing information that monitors the impact of drought, and identify aspects of their community composition to strengthen to improve drought resilience. These Councils will also help provide the scope for the development of the Drought Signals 1.0 Framework, and practical direction on the design of the resource. DRNSW seeks a provider to: 1. recommend the design for the full Drought Signals Framework, and 2. recommend the design of a functional Drought Signals product, and prepare a project plan to develop it.

Suppliers must be prequalfied under engagement type 1h of the NSW Government Performance and Management Services (PMS) Scheme to be eligible to respond.

Suppliers must be prequalfied under engagement type 1h of the NSW Government Performance and Management Services (PMS) Scheme to be eligible to respond.