Disaster Management
Information for North Coast communities
Healthy North Coast is committed to supporting community members prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
For information specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our COVID-19 page.
Readiness
Our region experiences a range of natural disasters including floods, bushfires, and drought. Being prepared for an emergency can save lives and support you and your family’s health and wellbeing during and after disasters.
If you want to be prepared for a future disaster, have experienced a disaster or are recovering from a disaster, visit the Australian Red Cross for useful emergency management information and resources.
Response
Healthy North Coast offers a range of services to support communities during a disaster or emergency situation.
North Coast Health Connect
The Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth service, North Coast Health Connect, supports our local health care providers and communities during and after emergencies. North Coast residents who are not able to get an appointment with their regular GP due to disaster, distance, or lack of after-hours services, can now book a free telehealth appointment with a GP any time of the day or night, seven days a week. Phone 1800 198 888.
Local primary health services
General practices, Aboriginal medical services, pharmacies and allied health providers can be impacted by disasters. Please contact your health provider before attending to ensure they are open. You can use the healthdirect Service Finder to locate a health service near you.
Lismore Primary Health Precinct
The Lismore Primary Health Precinct was opened in response to the 2022 floods, with a broad range of health providers offering appointments and services, including general practice, mental health, pharmacy, pathology, allied health services and more.
Mental health support
Immediate 24/7 help
- Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- MensLine 1300 78 99 78
- Lifeline Text 0477 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (children under 12 years)
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63
- Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268
- In an emergency, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Head to Health
Head to Health is a free, confidential, and friendly service for people seeking support, advice or warm referral for their mental and emotional wellbeing. Call 1800 595 212 Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm to speak to a mental health professional today.
OR
Visit the Head to Health hub at the Lismore Health Precinct. Lismore Head to Health Hub offers a safe and welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours. Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient and client. It is free and no appointment or referral is needed. Visit Mon − Fri 10 am − 8pm; Sat 12 pm − 8 pm; Sun 10 am − 2 pm.
Healthy Hub Connect
Healthy North Coast has commissioned EACH to deliver the Primary Health Program across the North Coast region.
The program offers Hub locations to connect the community with mental health and wellbeing support. Located at three sites across the North Coast region, visit a hub near you.
Our Healthy Hubs are located in Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, and Port Macquarie:
Suite 9, 75 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Suite 4, 73 Albany Street, Coffs Harbour
Suite 6, 21-27 Grant Street, Port Macquarie
The Healthy Hub Connect team is available Monday to Friday 9 am − 5 pm except public holidays.
Healthy Hub Connect is a safe space to receive support, information, advice and referral for mental health, alcohol and other drug use and psychosocial wellbeing.
Recovery
Healthy North Coast delivers a range of programs to support our communities in recovery.
Lismore Health Precinct
The Lismore Primary Health Precinct hosts a broad range of health providers offering appointments and services; including general practice, mental health, pharmacy, pathology, allied health services and more.
Safe Havens
Safe Haven community support and wellbeing hubs offer free on-the-spot services and advice 7 days a week. Four Safe Haven sites are now operating across our Northern NSW region — Woodburn, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah.
Head to Health
Head to Health is a free, confidential, and friendly service for people seeking support, advice or warm referral for their mental and emotional wellbeing. Call 1800 595 212 Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm to speak to a mental health professional today.
OR
Visit the Head to Health hub at the Lismore Health Precinct. Lismore Head to Health Hub offers a safe and welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours. Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient and client. It is free and no appointment or referral is needed. Visit Mon − Fri 10 am − 8pm; Sat 12 pm − 8 pm; Sun 10 am − 2 pm.
Medicare Better Access Initiative
Talk to your GP or contact a Medicare-registered mental health professional, such as a psychologist or mental health social worker, to access up to 10 individual and up to 10 group allied mental health services each year.
Services are available for anyone whose mental health has been affected by bushfires, floods or other disasters. It is not limited to people living in directly impacted areas. People can self-refer to a mental health professional and a mental health treatment plan is not required. Fees may apply.
Resilient Kids
Resilient Kids will support the capacity and resilience of children, young people (ages 8-18), their parents and carers and schools across the Northern Rivers as part of our community recovery response to the 2022 floods. Resilient Kids will be delivered under three streams. With Stream 1 and 2 being delivered by Social Futures in consortia with The Family Centre and Human Nature Therapy. Services are available in schools and in 6 Wellbeing Hubs around the Northern Rivers, with outreach services to smaller towns and communities.
headspace
headspace provides a range of services to improve the health and wellbeing of young people aged 12-25 and their friends, families and carers across four core areas of:
- Mental Health and wellbeing
- Physical and Sexual Health
- Work and Study Support
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
If you or someone you know could benefit from this support please phone or pop into a headspace service near you:
Tweed Heads – 145 Wharf St, Tweed Heads. 07) 5589 8700
Lismore – Level 1/29 Molesworth St, Lismore. 02) 6625 0200
Grafton – 59 Duke St, Grafton 02) 6642 1520
Coffs Harbour – 45/53 Little St, Coffs Harbour. 02) 6652 1878
Kempsey – 65 Smith St, Kempsey. 02) 65393450
Port Macquarie – 10/12 Short St, Port Macquarie. 02) 6588 7300
Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program
Healthy North Coast (HNC) has developed the Community Wellbeing and Resilience (CWR) Program to invest in place-based initiatives that support communities to recover from the impacts of natural disaster and build their capacity to face future challenges.
The targeted funding focuses on building resilience through strong social connections. Since 2022, HNC has commissioned 23 CWR grants to a total value of $5.3 million through Australian Government Department of Health and NSW Government Ministry of Health funding. An independent evaluation has also been commissioned to assess program outcomes and impact.
