Social vulnerability in a high-risk flood-affected rural region of NSW, Australia

We describe factors related to the social vulnerability of populations that experienced major river flooding in northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Using geographical information system methods, maps of 2017 flood-affected areas in the Lismore and Murwillumbah regions were combined with 2016 National census data to compare aspects of social vulnerability with the wider region and the region with Sydney. We also used individual-level data from the NSW 45 and Up Study to compare lifestyle, behavioural and health characteristics of residents of these flood-affected areas with the broader region (n = 13,561). Populations living in the Lismore Town Centre flood footprint exhibited significantly higher levels of social vulnerability over a range of factors; in particular, almost 82% resided in the most disadvantaged socio-economic quintile neighbourhoods. The flood-affected areas of Murwillumbah and Lismore regions included 47% and 60% of residents in the most disadvantaged quintile neighbourhoods compared to 27% for whole region and 16% for Sydney. This pattern of increased vulnerability was also apparent from the 45 and Up study; participants residing in the Lismore Town Centre flood footprint had significantly higher rates of riskier lifestyle-related behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption), pre-existing mental health conditions (depression and anxiety) and poorer health. This detailed case study demonstrates extreme local vulnerability of flood-exposed populations, over and above the already highly vulnerable regional rural populations. This information is important to inform disaster planning and response and also reinforces the importance of having a detailed understanding of affected populations.