Climate Justice and Disaster Recovery

 

Since the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires and the more recent extreme storm weather events in 2021 and 2024, ECLC together with the help of volunteers and partners, has been supporting disaster recovery activities in the east. The Centre provides free legal help, information, referral and education to support communities to recover following a disaster.

As the climate continues to change and disasters/extreme weather events become more frequent and intensified, ECLC continues to strengthen and expand its work. The Centre recognises that further efforts are needed to support the capacity of communities experiencing disadvantage and complex life challenges to cope with an increase in climate induced extreme weather impacts.

ECLC now takes an approach that works across the prevention continuum; continuing to respond to disasters but also working with community to build resilience and increase preparedness to manage future shocks and hazards.

The Centre also works to address systemic drivers that lead to an increased risk of climate impacts – recognising that communities experiencing marginalisation continue to be disproportionately impacted. This work is referred to as Climate Justice.

In recognition of the ongoing and increased need for legal help, people impacted by climate change and climate justice are now a priority group for the Centre. 

 

 

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Yarra Ranges Climate Partnership

The Yarra Ranges Climate Partnership is a resilience building project with community service organisations working in the Yarra Ranges area. Funded by the National Emergency Management Agency, it is a partnership with Jesuit Social Services’ Centre for Just Places, ARC Justice and the Federation of Community Legal Centres. This 3 year initiative will engage up to 40 organisations, building their capacity to prepare for, and respond to severe weather events in a consistent and coordinated way.

Key Documents:

Eastern Communities Climate Resilience Advisory Group (ECCRAG)

The recently established Eastern Communities Climate Resilience Advisory Group will play a pivotal role in guiding climate justice and disaster resilience efforts in Melbourne’s East. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building opportunities, the group seeks to deepen the region’s understanding of climate related challenges, develop innovative solutions and forge strategic partnerships. This collective action strengthens resilience efforts for a more equitable future for local communities.

 

Enabling Climate Resilient Development in the East Project

ECLC was pleased to receive seed funding from the Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation (LMCF) to further enhance its climate resilience work.

ECLC is working with local stakeholder partners in the Yarra Ranges on this new project, which aims to lay the foundation for a climate resilient development framework in Naarm’s (Melbourne’s) East.

It seeks to bridge the gap between global climate goals and local needs, acknowledging the importance of a cohesive and practicle framework that aligns with established Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This work – guided by ECCRAG – looks to effectively address local needs and priorities, and address any missed opportunities for collaborative action.

The project – in its preliminary phases – has undertaken a literature review, which will inform the development of a scoping report.

 

Eastern Climate and Disaster Legal Data Project

ECLC is proud to be a recipient of a Victoria Law Foundation Major Grant. The $100,000 grant will support the Centre’s new Climate and Disaster Legal Data Project. This funding will enable vital work to better understand the extent of unmet legal and related need across climate and disaster impacted communities in Melbourne’s east.

In partnership with Windermere and EACH, the project will review data and client experiences from people impacted by climate induced extreme weather events such as storms and bushfires. The insights from this project will help ECLC and our partners design more effective, targeted support and contribute to broader efforts to ensure that disaster planning, preparedness and recovery efforts recognise the legal needs of affected communities.

ECLC thanks Victoria Law Foundation for this important investment and looks forward to sharing updates as the Climate and Disaster Legal Data Project progresses.

 

Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform

ECLC is active in utilising the experience and expertise from its programs and elevating the voices of its community members through systemic advocacy and law reform initiatives. Formal submissions are one key component of this work. Recent submissions include:

 

ECLC Resources

Disaster Legal Help Check

To assist people to move from crisis to recovery, ECLC released a legal help check tool that walks people through a list of common issues, guiding them to get assistance where needed. Going through the checklist can help identify new and existing problems that may have been exacerbated by a disaster. For example, many people may not realise that legal advice could help with lodging insurance claims, managing employment issues or an increase in family violence.

Download the Disaster Legal Help Check here.

Insurance Check

Download the Insurance Health Check here.

 

Other Resources

Communicating the risks to community members (extreme heat)

Extreme heat – community resources (Department of Health).

A suite of communication resources have been developed by the department to encourage and educate individuals and the community to be aware of the impact of extreme heat on human health. The information is available in a range of formats with some translated resources.

Better Health Channel – How to cope and stay safe in extreme heat (Department of Health).

Preparing for extreme heat, tips and practical resources to survive the heat, helping others and where to get help yourself.

Communicating the risks to community organisations (extreme heat)

Heat health preparedness guidance for health and community services (Department of Health).

Heat Health Preparedness Guidance for Health and Community Services has been written with and for health and community services to promote consideration of organisational preparedness during extreme heat and heatwaves.

Heat Action Plan Workshop resources pack (Sweltering Cities)

Includes a suite of helpful resources for community service organisations looking to do additional planning around heatwaves.

Network and capacity building opportunities (extreme heat)

The Greater Melbourne Heat Alliance is a network of organisations who work with communities impacted by extreme heat, have projects aiming to address the impacts of extreme heat or can play a role in heatwave adaptation in Melbourne.

Other Publications and Videos

Renting and Disasters: Disasters such as floods, storms and bushfires can leave renters with a home that needs repairs or is even unhabitable. To support renter advocates and community workers, Tenants Victoria have created a 2-part video series exploring the challenges renters face during disasters. The videos cover how legal, financial, and personal issues can overlap and create additional difficulties, and offer practical tips for providing effective support.

 

News and Media

 

 

Page updated October 6, 2026
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