The Vital Role of NSW Councils in Natural Disaster Management

During and after natural disasters, local councils serve as frontline responders, crucially supporting emergency management agencies such as the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, and the NSW Police Force. Here’s a breakdown of their pivotal roles:

Prevention Phase:

• Conduct enterprise risk assessments and manage risks, ensuring Precondition Evidence is available and compliant.
• Ensure coverage of Councils’ entire local and regional road network, incorporating high-quality photos with meta-data attached, no older than four (4) years.
• Consider additional measurements and documentation beyond photos for high-risk infrastructure (culverts, causeways, bridges), possibly engaging a specialist DRFA consultant for evidence capture.
• Participate in local emergency management committees and training exercises.
• Implement measures to mitigate risks, including those posed by natural disasters.

?Preparation Phase:

• Develop and refine business continuity plans, reviewing Emergency Response Procedures with reference to DRFA, including triggers and processes for emergency evidence capture, notification of administering agency and project management consultants, eligibility and application for activation under DRFA, and emergency works prioritization and delivery.
• Implement an Emergency Response Panel to minimize protracted procurement processes, including local contractors with varied capacities and capabilities, engineering, geotech, and project management consultants, ensuring they are experienced within DRFA guidelines.

Response Phase:

• Execute business continuity plans to guide service maintenance or suspension, ensuring rapid response is facilitated.
• Ensure regular communication with residents, staff, and stakeholders, adhering to DRFA arrangements for effective coordination.
• Provide executive support to Emergency Operations Centres, with emphasis on eligible natural disaster costs and asset-specific reporting.
• Actively manage incidents and carry out directed emergency management activities, utilizing Opt-In arrangements to claim reimbursement of internal plant and labour costs, and complete Emergency Works within an extended 3-month timeframe.

Recovery Phase:

• Chair or coordinate recovery committees, facilitating the distribution of state or federal support and recovery grants, with accurate and eligible reporting.
• Participate in post-disaster lessons learned exercises, refining procedures for future disaster management.

In declared states of emergency, councils may be mandated to adhere to directives from NSW public sector agencies or relevant emergency operations controllers. Given their intimate connection with communities, local councils are indispensable in addressing local emergencies. Their employees often directly aid first responders during crises and contribute significantly to the recovery process.

Once the immediate threat subsides, councils shift focus to repairing infrastructure, cleaning up debris, and aiding affected residents. As natural disasters become more severe and prolonged, councils have increasingly initiated recovery efforts even before response operations conclude. However, the recovery and rebuilding process can be arduous, requiring substantial time and resources.

To support councils in these endeavours, various NSW government agencies offer reimbursement for eligible expenditures, covering essential areas such as emergency works, reconstruction efforts, waste management, and disaster mitigation funding.

Source: Auditor-General’s report ‘Local government business and service continuity arrangements for natural disasters - February 2022’

The unwavering dedication of NSW councils in natural disaster management underscores their indispensable role in safeguarding communities and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.

?