Role statement - Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Participating agency for the following bushfire mitigation activities:

• Landscape fuel management including legislative requirements
• Fire ignition controls including total fire ban days, arson programs
• Community education, awareness and engagement to prevent and respond to bushfire and bushfire smoke
• Seasonal arrangements to ensure capability
• Restricted access to public land

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following earthquake mitigation activities:

• Critical infrastructure (engineering) vulnerability assessments and maintenance regimes (essential services, dams/levees, buildings, roads, bridges, tunnels, resourcing sites

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following electricity supply disruption mitigation activities:

• Legislative framework, e.g. Electricity Industry Act 2000, Electricity Safety Act 2002, national electricity laws and rules
• public awareness
• load management strategies including segmented customers to minimise community impacts
• public communication and engagement
• industry forums, including regular emergency exercises

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the emergency animal disease mitigation activity: regulated control of native wildlife rehabilitation and licensing

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following flood mitigation activities:

• legislative policy framework including floodplain management strategy, reform (lessons learnt)
• flood emergency planning including readiness
• flood data/intelligence and mapping
• Total Flood Warning System

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following gas supply disruption mitigation activities:

• legislative and regulatory framework, including Gas Industry Act 2001, Gas Safety Act 1997 and associated Gas Safety Cases, National Gas Law and National Gas Regulations, critical infrastructure resilience requirements under the Emergency Management Act 2013
• public awareness
• industry forums, including regular emergency exercises

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

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

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following liquid fuel disruption mitigation activities:

• legislative and regulatory framework, including Fuel Emergency Act 1977, critical infrastructure resilience requirements under the Emergency Management Act 2013
• public awareness
• industry forums, including regular emergency exercises

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following water supply disruption mitigation activities:

• system resilience e.g. desal plant and grid connectivity
• critical infrastructure resilience
• legislative framework and regulations including Water Act 1989, Water Industry Act 1994 and Safe Drinking Water Act 2003 (risk management plans and audits).

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following emergency animal disease mitigation activities:

• regulated control of certain risk activities associated with animal feeding and farm biosecurity practices
• disease surveillance activities - epidemiological information (data and analysis) to meet trading partner needs
• international surveillance/intelligence
• farming industry supply chain best practice and accreditation
• specialist training of staff and industry
• awareness raising, education, information dissemination

Participating agency for the following emergency plant pest mitigation activities:

• preparedness and contingency plans
• surveillance programs
• diagnostic testing
• state border control
• education and stakeholder engagement
• conditions on movement (e.g. insecticide requirements for red imported fire ant host materials)
• pest and disease alerts
• farm biosecurity/awareness
• public awareness campaigns
• plant health certification and auditing
• chemical control

Participating agency for the following mine emergency mitigation activities:

• legislation/regulation and enforcement of Mineral Resources Sustainable Development Act 1990 and regulations (licensing and approvals process for operators of declared mines), Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004, Emergency Management Act 2013, Emergency Management (Critical Infrastructure Resilience) Regulations 2015, Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and Regulations 2014, Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005
• implement risk-based mine work plans and Risk Management Plans (formerly Risk Assessment and Management Plans), addressing specific mine stability, fire, explosion, flooding etc. controls
• audits and inspection
• planning consent and work plan approvals (initial and on-going)
• implementing licensee and work plan conditions for mine operators to manage identified risks
• technical review board (provides independent advice to DEECA and the Minister for Resources on mine stability)

Emergency planning and preparedness, including the SEMP Animal, Plant, Marine and Environmental Biosecurity Sub-Plan, Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan, and national arrangements captured in the Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN), Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan (PLANTPLAN) and the National Strategic Plan for Aquatic Animal Health (AQUAPLAN), and national Ministerial agreements under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA) and National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement.

Working with commonwealth, state government, industry, primary producers and community groups on the management of threats (including high risk biosecurity threats and natural disasters) to mitigate economic impacts.

Agriculture

• implementation of and compliance with traceability systems for livestock and agriculture produce

4.3

• monitoring and surveillance programs for agricultural and environmental pests and diseases that meet State and National trade needs

Blue‑Green Algae bloom:

• develop policy for blue-green algae management in Victoria

1.3

• collect data on blue-green algal blooms

4.4

Cetacean (whale and dolphin) stranding, entanglement or vessel strike:

• develop policy, programs and training for responding to cetacean entanglement, strandings and vessel strike

1.1

• engage with stakeholders to reduce the incidence of cetacean stranding, entanglement and vessel strike

1.3, 2.1

Dam safety:

• formulate policy and regulation for dam safety

1.1

• administer dam safety provision in the Water Act 1989 and water corporation obligations in the Statement of Obligations

1.1, 1.3

Energy:

• responsibilities under Part 7A of the Emergency Management Act 2013 involve working with the energy sector to enhance critical infrastructure resilience, through formulation of policy, emergency risk management planning by operators, observing exercises for resilience improvement cycles and designating vital critical infrastructure where appropriate

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 19.4, 19.5, 21.1, 21.3

Fire:

• formulate policy and regulation for bushfire management in state forest, national parks and protected public lands

1.1

• plan and deliver programs to reduce the risk of bushfire in state forest, national parks and protected public lands

1.1

Floodplain management/flood:

• formulate policy and regulation for floodplain management

1.1

• plan and deliver floodplain management programs to reduce the risk of major flood

1.1

Non-hazardous pollution of inland waters:

• formulate policy and regulation for non-hazardous pollution of inland waters

1.1

Reticulated water and wastewater (sewerage) services:

• monitor water corporations’ implementation of business continuity and emergency management plans to restore water and wastewater (sewerage) services to full functionality; and observe emergency management exercises in the sector

1.1, 1.6

Surveying and protecting threatened ecosystems, native plants and animals:

• identify key ecosystems, biodiversity values and species that may require intervention when affected by an emergency

1.1, 1.2, 11.2, 18.1

• develop response options for key ecosystems and species

1.1, 1.3, 4.4, 18.2

Wildlife affected by marine and freshwater pollution:

• develop policy, programs and training for responding to incidents of wildlife affected by marine pollution

1.1

• develop partnerships and agreements with key organisations that will support DEECA in responding to wildlife affected by marine pollution 

1.2, 3.2

Wildlife welfare arising from emergency events:

• develop policy, programs and training for responding to wildlife welfare during emergencies

1.1, 21.1

• develop partnerships and agreements with key organisations to support DEECA in responding to emergency events on wildlife welfare

1.1

Control agency for response:

• blue‑green algae
• cetacean (whale and dolphin) stranding, entanglement and vessel strike
• dam safety
• energy (electricity, natural gas and petroleum and liquid fuels) network supply disruptions
• fire in state forest, national park and protected public land
• non-hazardous pollution of inland waters
• reticulated water and wastewater (sewerage) service
• wildlife affected by marine and freshwater pollution
• wildlife welfare arising from an emergency event
• biosecurity incursions.
• emergency animal disease outbreaks (including bees an aquaculture)
• plant pest or disease outbreaks (including plaque locusts)
• invasive plant, animal and exotic marine pest incursions
• rapid and significant increases in established pest populations (vertebrate pests and plaques)

3.1, 15.7, 16.1, 16.2

Table 9: Control agencies for response

Support agency for:

• fire on private land
• drinking water contamination
• flood plain management/flood
• extreme heat and marine pollution (shoreline response)
• Mining, quarrying and petroleum emergencies by providing expert advice for mine and quarry incidents, and petroleum/geothermal wells

3.2, 4.5, 4.6, 12.3

Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional areas of agriculture, animal welfare (livestock and companion animals), earth resources (mines) public land, spatial data, threatened ecosystems and species, one of the lead RSAs for the functional area of responder agencies

Table 10: Support agencies for response

Lead the coordination of public information on:

• electricity outages and potential or actual load shedding after consultation with AEMO, ESV, industry and government
• gas usage and potential or actual gas curtailment in consultation with AEMO, ESV, industry and government

2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5

Provide emergency advice to reduce gas consumption on a voluntary basis

2.3

Provide access to, and analysis of, real time information and intelligence on supply disruptions and energy flows through Victoria

4.4, 4.5

Animal welfare (livestock and domestic) arising from emergency events:

• Relief Coordinating Agency (RelCA) for animal welfare, including Relief Lead Agency (RelLA), for animal welfare support relief activities (other than wildlife) as per the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan
• Liaise with local government to co-ordinate the housing of displaced and lost/stray companion animals and disposal of deceased animals (domestic) during emergency events as required
• Identify and assess injured and affected animals
• Provide advice on options for treatment, humane destruction or emergency salvage slaughter
• Where necessary, assist with humane destruction of injured or affected animals
• Inform and coordinate animal welfare organisations, volunteer groups or community groups wanting to contribute as required
• Assess and report losses and damage to agricultural assets and animals and, as outlined in the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan and SEMP, liaise with other agencies on identified needs (including but not limited to medical assistance, food, personal water, counselling, livestock fodder, stock water)

Blue‑Green Algae bloom:

• control agency to coordinate response for blue-green algae incidents

3.1

• coordinate state-wide blue-green algae management activities

3.2, 4.6

• provide advice to government and emergency management agencies regarding the impacts of algal blooms on drinking water supplies and/or recreational water bodies

4.6

Cetacean (whale and dolphin) stranding, entanglement or vessel strike:

• control agency for response to cetaceans impacted by vessel strike under the Victorian Cetacean Emergency Plan
• control agency to coordinate response to cetacean entanglements, strandings or vessel strikes under the Victorian Cetacean Emergency Plan

3.1

Dam safety:

manage escalated response activities to minimise the impact on the community and the environment from dam safety

3.1, 11.2, 11.3

Energy:

• control agency for energy supply disruptions, in accordance with plans and procedures and within the powers available to resolve the situation

1.5, 3.1

• control agency for disruptions to energy. DEECA participates in a range of partnerships and agreements with key organisations that will support DEECA in responding to energy emergencies

3.2

• as lead Government liaison, work with AEMO which operates and is responsible for the transmission system while other network operators manage the distribution system and the restoration of infrastructure and electric supply

1.5, 3.2, 10.1, 19.6

• advise the relevant Minister about the implications of energy supply disruptions and, in extreme outages, about reserve legislative powers to intervene in energy markets.  These include the direction of energy supply or usage through Orders in Council under the Gas Industry Act 2001, the Electricity Industry Act 2000, the Fuel Emergency Act 1977 and national arrangements

4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 11.2

• provide analysis and advice to government regarding impacts on energy supply 

4.1, 4.4, 4.6

• report on the impacts (loss and damage) to energy supply infrastructure to inform immediate priorities and recovery programs, including the restoration and supply of essential services

10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2, 19.4, 19.7

• coordinate intelligence to inform strategies and decision making for the safe and timely restoration of energy supplies to the community

19.1, 19.4, 19.8

• provide advice to communities on the installation and restoration of energy supplies that enhance resilience and mitigate the reliance on main energy supplies following an emergency

6.3, 6.4, 6.6, 19.8

Fire:

• control agency for bushfires in state forest, national parks, and protected public lands in accordance with the SEMP Bushfire Sub-Plan and SEMP 

3.1, 7.2

• support agency for other fires on private land

3.2

Floodplain management/flood:

• provide a coordinated response to manage residual water after a major flood event

3.2

• provide flood mapping information and flood advice 

4.4, 4.5, 4.6

• provide real time access to stream flow data collection for flood warning purposes 

4.4, 4.5, 4.6

Mapping and information services:

• support to emergency response agencies by providing digital and spatial information and services, and topographical mapping, both hardcopy and electronic

3.2, 4.6

Non-hazardous pollution of inland waters:

• manage escalated response activities to minimise the impact on the community and the environment from non-hazardous pollution of inland waters

3.1

Reticulated water and wastewater (sewerage) services:

• manage escalated response activities to minimise the impact on the community from reticulated water supply and wastewater (sewerage) service disruptions

3.1

• administer provisions in the Water Act 1989 and water corporation obligations in the Statement of Obligations

4.6

• Oversee recovery for the restoration of water and wastewater services in reticulated areas

15.2

Surveying and protecting threatened ecosystems, native plants and animals:

• provide scientific and technical advice to Lead Response agencies to minimise impact of the emergency event on high value ecosystems or species

4.3, 4.4, 18.1, 18.2

• relief coordination of surveying and protecting threatened ecosystems, native plants and animals 

Wildlife affected by marine and freshwater pollution:

• control agency for responding to wildlife impacted by marine pollution, including oil or chemical spills, under the Wildlife Response Plan for Marine Pollution Emergencies

3.1, 3.2

Wildlife welfare arising from emergency events:

• Relief Coordinating Agency (RelCA) for wildlife welfare, including Relief Lead Agency (RelLA) to coordinate response and respond to wildlife welfare arising from emergencies

3.1, 3.2, 18.4

Table 12: Relief coordination

• ensure the veterinary assessment and treatment of wildlife taken into care

• provide advice to government and emergency agencies regarding impacts of animal welfare for wildlife 

• liaise with local government (to co-ordinate the disposal of deceased animals (native and feral)) during emergency events as required

• inform and coordinate animal welfare organisations, volunteer groups or community groups wanting to contribute as required

Relief Coordinating Agency (RelCA) and Relief Lead Agency (RelLA) to provide drinking water for eligible households in non-reticulated areas. Where local resources, which may include municipal councils, are unable to meet the demand due to the size and complexity of the event, DEECA will coordinate relief drinking water supplies to affected areas and may request support from water corporations

15.2

Table 12: Relief coordination

Lead agency responsible to:

• provide strategic and expert advice on wildlife welfare

• assess, restore, clear and rehabilitate DEECA managed public buildings and assets (e.g. roads, bridges, public amenities) 

Recovery Coordinating Agency (RecCA) responsible for the recovery functional area coordination of agriculture

Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) to:

• assist farmers repair and restore fences damaged by bushfire or suppression activities, working with CFA

19.4

Table 16: Recover coordination: Economic environment

• refer primary producers and animal owners to services. Gather information on affected primary producers and other animal owners’ properties to assess the impact, loss and damage. Relevant information will be shared with municipal councils and appropriate agencies to aid in the coordination of recovery activities

4.5, 11.1, 11.2

Table 16: Recover coordination: Economic environment

• deliver recovery programs and advice to primary producers, rural land managers and other animal businesses by providing technical advice and services on strategies to re-establish rural enterprises, rehabilitate productive land and economic recovery

17.2, 17.4, 17.5

Table 16: Recover coordination: Economic environment

• deliver recovery programs and technical advice to primary producers, rural land managers and other animal businesses by ensuring effective communication channels between various agencies, organisations and communities, sharing local intelligence and data analysis, and providing advice on ongoing treatments

4.5, 17.2, 17.4, 17.5

Table 16: Recover coordination: Economic environment

• recover and rehabilitate reticulated water services. Water corporations lead recovery to restore services and DEECA oversee activities undertaken by water corporations

15.2, 19.4, 19.7

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

• recover and rehabilitate reticulated sewerage, sanitation systems and wastewater management systems. Water corporations lead recovery to restore services and DEECA oversee activities undertaken by water corporations

15.2, 19.4, 19.7

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

• ensure replacement of essential stock and domestic water taken from private landholders during firefighting operations is replaced as co-lead with CFA

19.4

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

• rehabilitate, restore and reinstate public land and assets it is directly responsible for managing, and support PV and CMAs to deliver these responsibilities on public land and assets for which they are responsible

18.4, 19.3

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• support the resilience of public land assets managed directly by DEECA, PV and CMAs

18.4, 19.3

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• provide advice and information to municipal councils and delegated public land managers and community groups on reforestation of native forest (not plantations). Provide advice regarding native flora and fauna, including within aquatic and terrestrial environments

4.5

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• survey and mitigate risks to protect threatened bird, marsupial, aquatic and plant species affected by emergencies on land within its portfolio and provide advisory services to others 

4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 16.1, 16.2

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• coordinate waste pollution management strategies

16.1

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• lead the protection and rehabilitation of cultural and heritage sites, in co-lead with PV

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment 

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

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

18.4

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment 

3.2, 17.1

Table 16: Recover coordination: Economic environment

Energy - Recovery Coordinating Agency (RecCA) for energy services, including Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) and Government liaison to:

• work with AEMO to deliver recovery activity of gas services assets reinstatement and return to reliable supply by managing gas system security emergencies within the Victorian Declared Transmission System. Other pipeline operators manage non-Declared Transmission System segments of the system, and the restoration of infrastructure and gas supply

1.5, 3.2, 10.1, 19.6

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

• work with AEMO and electricity generation companies to deliver recovery activity of electricity services assets reinstatement and return to reliable supply by managing electricity system security emergencies

1.5, 3.2, 10.1, 19.6

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

• work with fuel and pipeline companies to restore liquid fuel supply

Reticulated water and wastewater (sewerage) services:

• Recovery Coordinating Agency (RecCA) responsible for recovery functional area coordination of reticulated water and wastewater services and natural environment, public land and waterways 

18.4, 18.6, 18.7

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment and Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

Surveying and protecting threatened ecosystems, native plants and animals

Recovery Coordinating Agency (RecCA) for threatened ecosystems and species, and Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) to:

• provide scientific and technical advice on interventions and response plans to maintain species diversity and persistence within an ecosystem  

4.4, 4.5

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• develop and implement response activities to support ecosystem recovery and regeneration

18.3

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

• undertake targeted interventions to maintain ecosystems and threatened species 

18.2, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6

Table 18: Recovery coordination: Natural environment

Wildlife affected by marine and freshwater pollution:

• rehabilitate wildlife following veterinary assessment and working in conjunction with rehabilitators

• provide advice on appropriate management and release of wildlife from rehabilitation 

• Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) for monitoring the rehabilitation of injured wildlife

Wildlife welfare arising from emergency events:

• provide advice on appropriate management and release of wildlife from rehabilitation 

• rehabilitate wildlife following veterinary assessment and work in conjunction with rehabilitators

• Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) for monitoring the rehabilitation of injured wildlife