The Cultural Incident Management Exercise (CIMX) is an Australian-first initiative led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), in collaboration with seven Local Aboriginal Land Councils across Southeastern NSW. Developed in partnership with the NSW Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Crown Lands, CIMX explores how critically important Aboriginal cultural knowledge can be respectfully and effectively communicated to government agencies during emergency events such as bushfires. This cross-agency, action-research project has been recognised with a NSW Resilient Australia Award, a prestigious honour managed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority in partnership with Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), celebrating innovation and collaboration in disaster resilience.
A key output of the project is the CIMX documentary, which captures the voices, experiences, and shared commitment of all involved. The film serves as both a record and a catalyst; raising awareness, fostering shared responsibility, and promoting systemic change in how Aboriginal cultural heritage can be protected during emergencies. Following the award ceremony at NSW Parliament, CIMX will now represent New South Wales at the national Resilient Australia Awards in Canberra later this year, further amplifying its impact and potential to shape policy and practice across Australia.
