Nature as Infrastructure webinar launch

With economic, social and environmental costs from disasters mounting across Australia, a decisive shift is needed to scale up the deployment of natural infrastructure as a cost-effective approach to disaster risk reduction at scale, which delivers multiple benefits for communities, economies and biodiversity.

This panel discussion explored:

• the critical need for climate adaptation and resilience,
• how natural infrastructure fills that need,
• existing onground initiatives led by regional NRM organisations and First Nations organisations, and
• systemic policy and finance shifts needed to accelerate the transformation.

The discussion highlighted key themes and recommendations from the ‘Nature as Infrastructure’ discussion paper, including:

• Healthy Country Healthy People: Increase investment in First Nations co-stewardship and leadership of natural resource management programs, and give a voice to Indigenous knowledge and leadership.
• Value Natural Infrastructure: Incorporate natural values into government financial decision making.
• Catalyse Private Sector Action: Structure government policy to catalyse private sector frameworks for valuing and investing in natural infrastructure.
• Increase Supply: Invest in Australia’s established network of local, regional and cross-regional aggregators – including Indigenous land management organisations, regional NRM organisations, and local governments – to accelerate the delivery of natural infrastructure.
• Build Capacity: Invest in closing the knowledge and awareness gaps and strengthening the Australian evidence base to support scaling of natural infrastructure for disaster risk reduction.

Held on 4 November 2026, the panellists were:

• John Richardson, Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience
• Sarah Hoyal, Nature-led Resilience Lead, NRM Regions Australia
• Oliver Costello, Executive Director, Jagun Alliance
• Rayne van den Berg, Chief Value Officer, Value Australia
• Katherine Allen, CEO, NACC NRM
• Dr Bek Christensen, Knowledge Broker, NRM Regions Australia (facilitator)