LGAT Submission – State Special Emergency Management Plan – Recovery Plan
On behalf of Tasmanian councils, we’ve provided feedback on the State Special Emergency Management Plan – Recovery Plan.
When natural disasters occur, local government has shown to be a crucial partner in recovery. The insight councils can provide through knowledge of local areas and connection to numerous networks and key local representatives is invaluable. This ensures that response and recovery arrangements during an emergency are responsive to local community needs and able to adapt to changing circumstances.
We recognise how essential it is for all three levels of government to be coordinated and have consistent and sustained communication. The establishment of Resilience and Recovery Tasmania, along with the re-establishment of Regional Recovery Committees is welcomed and encourages a coordinated response during emergencies.
However, we need to ensure that membership of these committees includes a range of representatives, such as council recovery coordinators, elected members and State Government.
In addition, we strongly recommended that LGAT has a seat on the Statewide Recovery Committee so we can provide a whole of sector view regarding preparedness, response and recovery for emergencies.
To achieve effective recovery, functional responsibilities between coordinating agencies must be well-defined and communicated. Training and exercises should reinforce these responsibilities and focus on all dimensions of recovery.
Examples of successful recovery activities, such as the Resilient Hobart projects detailed in our submission, demonstrate the value of community-driven initiatives.
Recovery is a shared responsibility, but local government must be actively supported as a key collaborative partner as per the recommendation from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. Further resourcing and training are needed to deliver successful recovery activities and programs to our communities when they need it the most.