​Mr Rob Spence, Chief Executive of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said a stronger community could do a great deal to prevent, mitigate and lessen the impact of emergency events. They can also recover better and faster by responding positively to a crisis or adversity and learning from it.

“All Victorians could benefit from an improved model that invests greater time and effort to build community resilience before an emergency event, not after it happens.

“Our submission to the Victorian Government Green Paper: Towards a more disaster resilient and safer Victoria draws on feedback from councils following their experiences in responding to and recovering from bushfires and floods that hit many parts of the state.

“Key reforms we’ve sought include a review of agency roles and responsibilities detailed in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV); development of a new standard relief and recovery model; and an umbrella body to be responsible for emergency management in Victoria.

“Councils are more often working together regionally to share planning approaches and operating arrangements. There is scope to improve consistency and coordination if a risk-based model is strengthened.

“Local government has also expressed concerns about municipal emergency management plans often being seen as a plan for the council rather than a multi-agency plan for the municipal area,” he said.

The MAV submission draws on extensive consultation with councils across Victoria, as well as input provided through a joint program with the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner to improve emergency management capacity within local government.

Mr Spence said that one of the key challenges facing local government, as acknowledged in the Green Paper, was the expectations placed on municipal emergency management responsibilities.

“Current arrangements are antiquated and not in line with the skills, expertise and limitations of modern day councils. They also fail to consider the diversity within the local government sector, particularly for small shires with limited budgets and staffing capacity.

“Local government’s emergency management role shouldn’t involve new activities only undertaken in emergencies, as council staff are often expected to fulfil multiple diverse jobs within the one position.

“Roles should draw on sector strengths and be an escalation of normal business, which includes community engagement, facilitation of local planning and partnerships, risk mitigation and community support.

“The current system fails to recognise that business continuity is an essential element of local government activity in emergencies. Many services delivered by municipalities must be maintained and enhanced to assist other agencies and the community to manage the emergency and recover quickly.

“We look forward to working with the Government as this reform agenda progresses to improve how emergency management works in Victoria and support our communities to be safer,” he said.

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View the MAV submission.

For more information contact MAV CEO Rob Spence on 0418 132 573 or MAV Communications on 9667 5521.