Innovation Case Study: Scot Walker, Greater Dandenong City Council
Greater Dandenong City Council
Scot Walker, Emergency Management Coordinator
Greater Dandenong’s Emergency Management Team are Doing More With Less
With nearly seven years in local government, Scot has successfully navigated significant legislative changes and increasing service demands. He leads a small, dedicated team that consistently goes above and beyond to support the community. Inspired by his team’s commitment and passion, Scot embraces every challenge with a focus on the community’s wellbeing and best interests.
2025 MAVlab Innovation Awards Finalist:
Innovatio Pro Bono Publico Award: Emerging Leader, supported by Leadership Victoria.
Team details:
- The work of the Emergency Management Team is made possible through the dedicated commitment of many staff at Greater Dandenong City Council including Marissa Nathaniel (Acting MRM) who has been in the team the longest, as well as the deputy MEMOs and MRMs and other support staff.
Leadership and excellence:
When Scot joined Greater Dandenong, the role had previously been shared with another council, and there was an opportunity to strengthen compliance, efficiency, and cross-department collaboration. Building on insights from the “Council’s and Emergencies Project” led by Local Government Victoria (LGV), Scot conducted a comprehensive review, identifying opportunities for improved processes, financial recovery, and interdepartmental efficiencies. This work laid the foundation for enhanced operational performance and a more agile team structure.
In 2019, Scot took on a full-time role with Greater Dandenong at a time of unprecedented challenges, including the Black Summer Bushfires and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the Council’s bushfire and COVID-19 response, coordinating the workforce and establishing systems to respond to daily operational challenges. Under his leadership, the focus remained on staff wellbeing, service continuity, and ensuring community needs were met. Flexible working arrangements, close attention to mental health, and clear communication helped maintain service delivery while supporting staff through a highly complex period.
Scot also played a pivotal role in a landmark multi-council collaboration that resulted in the development of the Emergency Prepare website, along with accompanying videos and booklets. Initially launched prior to his tenure at Greater Dandenong, Scot contributed significantly to the production and ongoing maintenance of these resources, which now serve councils across Victoria.
Under Scot’s leadership, the team has grown substantially, achieving measurable outcomes such as the recovery of funds that would otherwise have been lost, and implementing systems that enhance operational efficiency and service delivery. These initiatives have strengthened community resilience and improved outcomes for residents across Greater Dandenong.
Scot’s work demonstrates the value of strategic leadership in local government, particularly during periods of crisis, and highlights the benefits of cross-council collaboration, innovation, and proactive workforce management.
The team has maintained a strong outward focus on community engagement and education, recognising that preventing emergencies saves significant time and resources in response, relief, and recovery.
Impact and legacy:
Prior to recent changes, claimable expenses for emergency management work were not being fully recovered through the DRFA process or agreements with control agencies. By addressing this, Greater Dandenong Council was able to expand its Emergency Management Team, recovering more costs and creating a sustainable, positive cycle of investment. The functions of the team are now recognised as an investment in community safety and resilience rather than a cost.
The team has maintained a strong outward focus on community engagement and education, recognising that preventing emergencies saves significant time and resources in response, relief, and recovery. This community-centric approach culminated in a first-of-its-kind Heatwave Preparedness Forum at The Drum Theatre in September 2023. Around 500 attendees participated, including representatives from community groups, schools, industry, aged care facilities, health providers, utilities, emergency services, and other councils.
The forum was structured in three parts:
- Presentations from the Bureau of Meteorology, Ambulance Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and the Department of Health.
- Hypothetical scenario exercise, simulating a heatwave impacting Greater Dandenong, with agency personnel responding in real time. The session included live-style broadcasts produced in collaboration with Channel 6 News, testing assumptions and preparedness.
- Panel discussion, focusing on proactive measures and strategies to improve future readiness.
The event was fully conceived, written, facilitated, and produced by the Emergency Management Team. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the forum content is now used as part of ongoing staff training and professional development.
Collaboration:
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that procurement across Greater Dandenong Council was decentralised, with individual departments responsible for purchasing, stocking, and budgeting for their own needs. In response, a dedicated procurement team was established, responsible for contract management and sourcing efficient, cost-effective stock on behalf of all departments.
Collaboration between teams — including Public Health, Building, Community Safety, Planning, and Compliance — has increased significantly. As emergency management work has grown more frequent and complex, utilising the skills and experience of different teams in an integrated way has improved efficiency, reduced silos, and boosted staff morale. This cross-departmental approach has resulted in faster, more positive outcomes for the community during critical times.
To ensure staff can effectively fulfil the legislated roles of Municipal Emergency Management Officer (MEMO) and Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM), a comprehensive training pathway was developed, addressing the absence of nationally recognised qualifications in Victoria. In 2025, Council began rolling out a six-session program tailored to different staff roles and levels of experience. The program is open to other councils and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) at no cost. Session topics include:
- Introduction to Emergency Management for Councils
- Emergency Management Liaison Officer (EMLO) training
- Consequences for Executives and Managers
- DRFA and desktop storm exercise in Greater Dandenong
- Emergency Relief Centre live exercise
- Debrief and next steps.
This initiative has strengthened staff capability, enhanced cross-department collaboration, and positioned Greater Dandenong as a leader in council-level emergency preparedness and training.