This project aims to build disaster management capability by collaborating with key agencies and community stakeholders in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales (NSW). Together they will develop a case study on assisted relocations at scale, providing actionable findings to improve the responsiveness and efficacy of existing and future initiatives to enhance community disaster resilience.
This project is currently open for Expressions of Interest.
Project teams responding to this call for Expressions of Interest (see PDF in top-right corner) are required to submit their response using the Centre’s current EOI submission form.
EOI proposals are due by 5:00pm AEST, 4 August 2025 to research@naturalhazards.com.au.
An online briefing was held 16 July 2025 to provide a more detailed briefing of the project and the opportunity for interested parties to pose specific questions. Rewatch the session below.
Project details
This project concept was developed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
The project will work with the Resilient Homes Program (RHP) and Resilient Lands Program (RLP) administrators and relevant communities in the collaborative development of a case study of assisted relocations at scale, provide actionable findings to improve the preparedness, responsiveness and efficacy of existing and future initiatives to enhance community disaster resilience.
By examining the Northern Rivers context, both pre- and post-disaster, the project will analyse the broader economic, social and institutional governance factors which influenced the design and delivery of assisted relocation programs.
The research will examine the homeowner journey to identify service delivery gaps and to explore the emotional, risk and social and cultural dimensions underpinning community and household decisions to accept or decline buybacks in voluntary schemes or assisted relocations.
This will include exploring conflicting knowledge, values and priorities among individuals, the community and organisations that may create tensions and impact the roll-out and success of assisted relocations in the Northern Rivers.
The project will consider the relationship between the RHP and RLPs to draw on the key learnings that could be applied to enhance policy outcomes and the customer experience.
It will do this by:
- mapping the assisted relocation journey of homeowners across the RHP and RLP programs and identifying the capacity of collaborative partners to support homeowners through assisted relocations
- collecting evidence and learnings on the delivery and implementation of the assisted relocation component of the RHP and RLP
- engaging with local communities on what constitutes effective place-based adaptation and disaster resilience within the context of assisted relocations
- engaging with local First Nations communities to determine appropriate co-design processes that lead to place-based participation and support for assisted-relocation reform.
Frequently asked questions
Q) Does the assisted relocation project have a focus on inclusive or specific programs for people with disability or special needs?
The Assisted Relocation project does not specifically highlight programs for people with disability or special needs in the EOI; however, research teams are encouraged to propose inclusive approaches where relevant. The project welcomes submissions that bring expertise in these areas.
The primary focus of the RHP and RLP is on relocating homeowners from high-risk areas – and this research project is focussed on these programs. However, individual and exceptional circumstances such as disability can be considered in stream allocation decisions. Support services are also in place to assist all homeowners, including those with special needs, through the relocation process.
Q) Will introductions or partnerships with local First Nations communities/organisations be facilitated by NHRA or the NSW RA?
Yes, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) can assist in facilitating introductions or partnerships with local First Nations communities and organisations. RA holds established relationships across the region and is well positioned to support appropriate and respectful engagement.
Q) Is the scope of the project restricted to private homeowners only? So excludes social housing or Aboriginal community housing?
No, the scope of the project is not limited to private homeowners. Eligibility is based on whether the dwelling was lawfully used for residential purposes and has had consistent ownership. This may include properties owned by community or Aboriginal housing organisations that have been leased for social or community housing purposes.
It’s important to note that the scope of the research aligns with the parameters of the broader program being delivered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Additionally, related programs such as the Resilient Lands Program are supporting the delivery of various housing types, including social, affordable, and key worker housing.
Q) Are you interested in what happens to renters of relocated homes?
Yes, the experiences and outcomes of renters are considered relevant to the scope of the research. In many high-risk areas, there is a significant proportion of rental properties, and it is recognised that the program may have direct and indirect impacts on tenants and the broader rental market. Understanding these impacts is important to ensure the program’s outcomes are equitable and inclusive of all affected community members.
Q) To what extent will the selected researchers join existing research teams/evaluations underway by RA/research by the Social Recovery Reference Group etc?
This is currently outside the immediate scope of this EOI briefing. However, it is anticipated that there will be some level of alignment or coordination to avoid duplication and to build on existing work where appropriate.
Applicants who are aware of related research activities or have existing connections with other research teams are encouraged to highlight these in their submission. This will help inform potential opportunities for collaboration. RA will provide further clarification on this matter as needed.
Q) In the Q&A page, it was noted that the salary costs of tenured academics already paid by their university or research organisation cannot be included in the budget. However, are teaching buyouts for these tenured academics eligible to be budgeted? Additionally, is there a required or expected level of co-contribution from research organisations (e.g. a 2:1 funding ratio, where for every $2 of funding requested, the recipient contributes $1)?
A: Yes, teaching relief can be included in the project budget for one (1) project member’s teaching load for one (1) session during the project establishment i.e. the first six months. Teaching relief should be calculated using a Lecturer level casual teaching rate, applied to the estimated total course hours of teaching relief.
How final is the budget we proposed in the EOI? If our EOI progresses to the next stage of developing a full proposal, can our budget be modified upon negotiation with NHRA?
The budget proposed in the EOI is considered final and must align with the project’s scope. Applicants are required to ensure their proposed budget fits within the allocated funding parameters
Q) Are the word limits in the submission form a guideline?
A) Each question in the submission form has a required word limit. Submissions with statements exceeding the word limit will be deemed non-compliant.
Q) What do you mean by “Total cumulative FTE contribution over the life of the project"?
A) This means the total FTE per person over the life of the project. Maximum total FTE for each person is 1.0. Cumulative is to add up all the personnel.
For example:
- If someone is contributing 1 FTE per year for three years, then their FTE is 1.000 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.1 FTE per year for three years, then their FTE is 0.100 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.05 FTE for two years of a three year project, then their FTE 0.033 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.5 for two years and 0.1 for 1 years of a three year project, then their FTE is 0.367 FTE
Q) Can the Centre connect interested parties with other agencies or organisations involved in developing this project, to discuss it further and assist in developing an EOI submission?
A) While an EOI is open for submissions, the Centre procurement processes don't allow Centre staff to connect interested parties, as this can cause conflicts of interest. However, interested parties are able to contact whomever they wish, excluding those organisations listed on the EOI, to discuss the project and explore opportunities for collaboration or potential consortium submissions. If an online project briefing has been organised for an EOI, we encourage interested parties to attend the briefing to ask questions and meet other interested parties.
Q) Can interested parties contact the Centre with questions about the project design before submitting?
A) While an EOI is open for submissions, Centre procurement processes don't allow Centre staff to share knowledge of the project design directly with interested parties. However, if you have questions, you can email research@naturalhazards.com.au and you will receive a timely response if appropriate, according to our procurement processes.
Q) Is there a preference for a project team to be from a single research organisation, or from across multiple organisations?
A) The Centre has no preference for either a single organisation or a multi-organisation project team. EOIs will be accepted from either and will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria in the same way.
Q) Can the proposed project team include researchers from government agencies or research consultancies, as well as university-based researchers?
A) EOIs will be accepted from multi-organisation project teams, and project teams can include researchers at government agencies and research consultancies. The proposed project team's capacity to undertake the project will be evaluated in the same way whether researchers are university-, consultancy- or agency-based.
Q) Would academic salaries (excluding administrative overheads) be eligible to budget?
A) Yes, academic salaries can be included within the project budget, but only when they are direct project costs and their salary is not already covered elsewhere. E.g. the salary costs of a contract researcher who is actively working on the project can be included up to the FTE component they are contributing. However, the salary costs of a tenured academic who is already paid through the university/research organisation would be included as an in-kind contribution up to the amount of their FTE contribution to the project.
Q) What do you mean by "peer review"?
A) This is a quality control process. Where requested, the final report must be reviewed by someone who is an expert in the field and independent of the project.
Q) At what rate can salary on-costs be charged?
A) Administrative overheads are limited to direct salary-related on-costs. Indirect cost recoveries are not to be included. Other administrative overheads and indirect costs can be included as in-kind contributions. Where the salary on-cost rate exceeds 28% this will need to be justified.
Q) Can equipment costs be included in the budget?
A) Ordinarily, project funds are not to be used to purchase equipment. Where funds for equipment are requested, they will need to be justified.
Q) Can international research teams apply? Alternatively, can international research teams be part of a consortium bid?
A) International research teams can be part of research projects when they are part of a consortium submission that is led by an Australian research organisation. The international team would need to be subcontracted by the lead Australian based research organisation. Please note that all budget submissions must be in Australian dollars and the lead organisation must bear the cost of funds transfer and responsibility for due diligence as required under Australian Foreign Interference regulations.
Q) Is there an option of registering my interest as an independent researcher that could assist a larger team or are you only able to consider proposals that address the entire project?
A) Yes, you can submit an EOI as an independent researcher addressing part of the project requirements. In the EOI submission form, please outline which aspects of the project you can address. Once the EOI closes, we can consider linking researchers together, although whether or not we can do that will depend on a range of factors, so we can’t guarantee that outcome. Of course, the other option is to reach out to potential collaborators now about putting in a joint EOI submission that addresses the entire project.