What is an EPRP?

Emergency preparedness and response plans for natural and agricultural assets focus on protecting ecosystems, species, soils, water, and farm productivity from disasters like bushfires, floods, droughts, and heatwaves. 

The plans define the priority natural capital and agricultural assets in each NRM region, and identify the risks to those assets presented by extreme events. They also define management responses for the planning, preparedness, response and recovery phases of such events.

The first ever comprehensive regional Biodiversity and Natural Capital Assets Emergency Preparedness Response Plans (EPRPs) were developed by regional NRM organisations across Australia from late 2023 to 30 June 2024. These were funded through the Australian Government Departments of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The plans will be used by the NRM regions and emergency management agencies to ensure that:

• Risks to assets are minimised as far as possible;
• Natural capital assets are protected during emergency responses; and
• Best possible recovery actions are implemented.