Role statement - Municipal Councils

Perform risk mitigation functions under local government, fire, health, building, and planning legislation e.g. planning schemes, building permits, food safety inspections

1.4

Work with the Municipal and/or Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee to:

• provide community awareness, information

1.2, 2.1

• identify and assess hazards/risks

• implement/coordinate specific risk treatments for identified risks

Participating agency for the following bushfire mitigation activities:

• land use planning
• building regulations, standards and codes
• landscape fuel management including legislative requirements

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following earthquake mitigation activities:

• building standards/regulations and enforcement (post 1989, 1993, 2007 standards)
• critical infrastructure (engineering) vulnerability assessments and maintenance regimes (essential services, dams/levees, buildings, roads, bridges, tunnels)

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following flood mitigation activities:

• land use planning (Strategic and statutory)
• flood mitigation infrastructure e.g. levees, retarding basins
• community engagement, education and awareness
• flood emergency planning including readiness
• Total Flood Warning System

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the hazardous materials (including industrial waste) incident mitigation activity: land use planning and regulation, and process facility/residential/commercial development designs

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the heatwave mitigation activity: urban planning (water fountains, cool places – parks, air-conditioned facilities)

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following storm mitigation activities:

• drainage systems (drainage standards and strategy)
• buildings compliant to engineering standards (planning and building standards/regulations)

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Responsible for municipal relief coordination

Table 12: Relief coordination

When safe to do so, provide support to the incident and/or regional control centres through:

• Provision of available council-managed resources to Control Agency in line with capacity, capability and contractual constraints

• provision of available facilities for emergency services’ staging areas

• partial/full closure of council-managed areas to exclude the public from dangerous areas

• partial/full local road closures and determination of alternative routes

Relief Lead Agency (RelLA) to:

• coordinate clean-up activities, including disposal of deceased animals (domestic, native and feral)

15.7, Table 12: Relief coordination

• coordinate the housing of displaced and lost/stray companion animals, with support from the Victorian Farmers Federation, Australian Veterinary Association and RSPCA

20.2

Table 12: Relief coordination

Coordination of local level relief activities, and lead agency to:

• provide local relief information to public and media

2.3

• establish and manage emergency relief centres to shelter members of the community displaced by an emergency

• provide community relief support referrals to relevant agencies

• coordinate of secondary impact assessment

Support DELWP to provide relief drinking water to eligible households in non-reticulated areas

15.2

When safe to do so, provide support to the incident and/or regional control centres, through clearance of blocked drains and local roads

9.5

Relief Support Agency (RelSA) to:

• DJPR and DELWP in providing animal welfare (other than wildlife) support services
• DFFH in arranging emergency shelter and accommodation for displaced households
• provide relief services and support information to communities
• provide public health advice
• provide relief services and support information to communities

Table 12: Relief coordination

Responsible for municipal recovery coordination

Tables 13-18: Recovery coordination

Coordinate local level recovery activities, and lead agency to coordinate post emergency needs assessment to determine long term recovery needs (Post Emergency Needs Assessment)  

Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) to:

• survey and make a determination regarding occupancy of damaged residential buildings (when safe to do so)

11.1, 11.2

Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment

• form, lead and support Municipal Recovery Committees

3.2

Table 14: Recovery coordination: For services across all environments

• establish and manage recovery centres to provide recovery information to the emergency impacted community

4.5, 15.1

Table 14: Recovery coordination: For services across all environments

• provide and manage community recovery services and activities

20.5

Table 14: Recovery coordination: For services across all environments

• Coordinate clean up and restoration activities on local roads and for council-owned community infrastructure

• undertake the assessment, restoration, clean-up and rehabilitation of roads, bridges and tunnels

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to:

• BRV as the lead for community information
• DH as the lead for public health advice

Table 14: Recovery coordination: For services across all environments

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to DH as the lead for the following:

• advice on wellbeing in recovery
• personal support (psychological first aid and emotional-spiritual care) in relief and recovery centres and through community outreach

Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to:

• DFFH as the lead to support securing interim accommodation

Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to DJPR as the lead for the following:

• implement approved actions and projects to assist economic recovery
• encourage and bring forward the resumption of local trade and economic activity
• monitor broad economic impacts and consequences
• assist businesses to access available information and advice following an emergency
• provide information and advice to small businesses to support decision making and encourage return to business
• implement funded activities to support business recovery
• provide opportunities for the enhancement of knowledge and skills within small businesses
• implement marketing/public relations and industry product development activities to assist affected tourism regions and businesses
• deliver recovery programs and advice to primary producers, and rural land managers and other animal businesses

Table 16: Recovery coordination: Economic environment

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to:

• BRV to coordinate approved state-led or supported clean-up of residential property
• Respective asset owner or managing agency to undertake the assessment, restoration, clearing and rehabilitation of public buildings and assets (e.g. roads, bridges, sporting facilities, public amenities, station buildings, schools, hospitals) where an agency is the owner or manager of that respective building or asset
• VBA to provide building advice and information to residents
• DELWP to provide policy and regulatory settings, issues resolution and support for land use planning, building and heritage to facilitate rebuilding for housing, local businesses, and public buildings and services

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment