Councils and emergencies project

The emergency management sector has made a real commitment to better understand its capability and capacity, to achieve its goal of safer and more resilient communities. Councils are a critical partner in the delivery of emergency management in Victoria with the Councils and Emergencies Project providing a unique opportunity for councils and the wider emergency management sector to evaluate and address gaps in their emergency management capability and capacity.

The Councils and Emergencies project is a multi-year, three phased project that aims to enhance the capability and capacity of councils to meet their emergency management obligations. It is listed as one of the state-wide strategic priorities within the Victorian Emergency Management Strategic Action Plan following initial recognition in the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry Report.

The Project has provided many valuable insights into the way councils undertake their emergency management responsibilities. It has built on the evidence provided through previous state emergency event reviews and provides a clear base to make improvements to enhance councils’ capability and capacity.

Image describing the aim of each Councils and Emergencies Project Phases

Phase One Phase One clarified and confirmed the emergency management responsibilities and activities of councils and produced the Councils and Emergencies Position Paper.

This was undertaken in consultation with Victorian councils’ and the wider emergency management sector.

Councils and emergencies position paper

Published in December 2017, the position paper provides a comprehensive overview of the emergency management responsibilities and activities councils can undertake for the betterment of their local communities. The position paper identifies 94 emergency management responsibilities and activities councils can carry out before, during and after an emergency. The release of the position paper marked the completion of phase one of the project.

Councils and emergencies directions paper

Published in January 2017, the Directions Paper was developed using feedback from initial consultation with councils’ and the emergency management sector. It identified councils’ emergency management responsibilities and actions (as at Jan 2017) including how they collaborate with each other and with emergency management agencies. The Paper was released for consultation and LGV received formal submissions from councils, state government and emergency management agencies.

Councils and emergencies consultation report

Published in December 2017, the Consultation Report provides an in-depth analysis of the rigorous consultation process that began in 2016. The consultation report highlights key feedback received from local government and the emergency management sector and explains how it was used by LGV to inform the development of the Position Paper.

Phase Two Phase Two provided understanding of councils’ emergency management capability and capacity, based on the needs and risk profile of each municipality.

Councils and emergencies capability and capacity evaluation report

Published in December 2019, the Evaluation Report provides a comprehensive overview of the emergency management capability and capacity of Victoria’s 79 councils. A list of all evaluation questions can be downloaded in excel here. The findings enable councils to better understand their capability and capacity and support better emergency management planning locally. The report will also support the emergency management sector to better understand councils’ emergency management capability and capacity. The release of the evaluation report marked the completion of phase two of the project.

Councils and Emergencies Capability and Capacity Evaluation Report PDF, 1203.08 KB

Councils and Emergencies Capability and Capacity Evaluation Report DOCX, 530.13 KB

Phase Three Phase Three aims to develop strategies to address areas for improvement in councils’ emergency management capability and capacity.

Councils and emergencies phase three regional consultation report

Published in December 2021, the Consultation Report provides a summary of the feedback received from councils and the wider emergency management sector in Phase Three. The consultation provided a clear understanding of the issues councils face in undertaking their emergency management responsibilities. It also produced a set of proposed actions to address those issues.

Councils and emergencies phase three regional consultation report
PDF, 7752.07 KB

Councils and emergencies phase three regional consultation report DOCX, 711 KB