We assisted municipalities with many response, relief and recovery activities during and after the 2010 – 2011 Victorian floods. This included:
- representing councils on the State Emergency Management Team and recovery committees, Victorian Flood Warning Consultative Committee and State Flood Policy Committee
- supporting councils by facilitating resource sharing
- activating our Emergency Recovery Fund to coordinate donations from non-flood-affected municipalities
Following feedback from flood-affected municipalities, we continue to advocate for reform of the Victorian Government’s Natural Disaster Financial Assistance for Local Councils guidelines.
We requested that the scope and list of eligible costs be broadened to reflect the range and cost of current emergency management expectations placed on the local government sector.
Review of flood warnings & response
We lodged a submission to the Victorian Review of 2010 – 2011 Flood Warnings and Response.
In line with the terms of reference, the submission focused on the adequacy of funding provided by the state and federal governments, and the adequacy of service delivery by all tiers of government.
While preparing the submission, our emergency management team visited a number of flood-affected municipalities and sought input from all councils regarding the local impact of the floods.
Our submission recommended:
- the role of municipal councils in the Emergency Management Act 1986, Emergency management manual Victoria and the SES State Flood Response Plan for Victoria be reviewed and amended to better reflect councils’ current capabilities and provide communities with greater clarity regarding council responsibilities
- increasing resources for municipalities to train their staff in emergency management practice and maintain their skills by providing inductions, courses, attainment of qualifications, regular exercises and other professional development opportunities as well as improving the support mechanisms available to municipal emergency management staff
- developing better coordination of emergency management. Future local emergency management planning should be flexible and designed on a sub-regional geographical footprint of one or more municipalities. Planning should be sustainable and incorporate local knowledge and networks.
- further developing an all-hazards, all-agencies approach to emergency management planning
- improving structural support for local emergency management by strengthening the regional and state-wide emergency management levels, with stronger emphasis on regional-based planning and coordination
Flood mitigation infrastructure inquiry
We have lodged a submission to the flood mitigation infrastructure inquiry being conducted by the Victorian Parliament’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Our submission focused on the role of local government in the management of flood mitigation infrastructure across Victoria including, ownership, responsibility and maintenance on public and private land.
The submission recommended:
The submission also recommended that the Department of Sustainability and Environment ensure through catchment management authorities and other relevant agencies, such as Melbourne Water, that:
- funding for strategic, detailed flood studies cover the entire catchment – including urban areas rather than just the major waterways – using a common methodology across Victoria
- studies map existing levees – both publicly and privately owned – and any other mitigation infrastructure to provide a more accurate picture of floodwater behaviour that allows councils to plan more effectively for flood events
- CMAs provide on request property-specific flood cards that advise of potential flood water levels