Developing Multi-Modal Communication Tools for Retrofit Guidance in Ageing Bushfire-Prone Communities

The increasing frequency and severity of bushfires in Australia, combined with an ageing population in bushfire-prone regions, creates an urgent need for targeted resilience guidance for older Australians. The outcome of this research is a developed and validated user-friendly toolkit for bushfire retrofitting, tailored to the specific needs of this vulnerable older demographic. A qualitative multi-method approach was employed, incorporating a systematic literature review (SLR) and participatory design method. Two bushfire-prone regions, Bega Valley and Noosa Shire, were used as the case study contexts for this research. Data collection in these two regions involved focus groups with participants over the age of sixty and on-site fieldwork assessments of bushfire-prone properties. Several types of data including interview transcripts, physical artefacts, documents, and archival records were collected. The data was then analysed using thematic and content analysis to identify key areas of focus for the toolkit. Findings revealed that existing bushfire retrofit resources inadequately address the implementation capabilities of older people. The adapted toolkit design therefore presents a novel approach that addresses the current gaps in the literature by providing a scalable approach to retrofitting that is tailored to varied retrofitting capabilities. By effectively integrating technical building compliance standards with age-specific design considerations, the toolkit promotes the effective implementation and adoption of retrofit measures by older people, ultimately improving individual and community resilience against bushfires.