Role of local government in a disaster
Your local government has first-hand knowledge of your community's social, economic, infrastructure, and environmental needs, helping them to provide support in a disaster.
The role of local government under the Disaster Management Act 2003 is to:
- have a disaster response capability
- approve a local disaster management plan
- ensure local disaster information is promptly given to the District Disaster Coordinator.
Local disaster management groups
Local governments appoint local disaster management groups.
Their role is to:
- develop, review and assess effective disaster management practices
- help local government to prepare a local disaster management plan
- ensure the community knows how to respond in a disaster
- identify and coordinate disaster resources
- manage local disaster operations
- ensure local disaster management and disaster operations integrate with state disaster management.
The Mayor, or another elected member of the council, is the chairperson of the local disaster management group.
Read more about disaster management.