New England Regional Emergency Management Plan Parts 1 – 4 UNRESTRICTED September 2018
(As amended March 13, 2019) New England Regional Emergency Management Plan
Part 1 – Administration
Authority
The New England Regional Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) has been prepared by the New England Regional Emergency Management Committee in compliance with the State Emergency & Rescue Management Act 1989.
APPROVED by the Region Emergency Management Committee on September 4, 2018
Geoffrey McKechnie
Chairperson
Region Emergency Operations Controller
New England Regional Emergency Management Committee
ENDORSED by the State Emergency Management Committee 111 on 6 December 2018.
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Contents
Part 1 – Administration ...... 2 Authority ...... 2 Contents...... 3 Purpose ...... 5 Objectives ...... 5 Scope ...... 5 Principles ...... 5 Activation, Escalation & Demobilisation ...... 7 Control, Command and Coordination Structure ...... 7 The Region acting as a support mechanism to a Local emergency: ...... 8 The Region supporting a Combat Agency for a Regional emergency: ...... 9 Region controlling a Regional emergency: ...... 9 Test and Review Process ...... 10 Part 2 – Context & Risk Assessment ...... 11 Annexure A – Regional Profile ...... 11 General ...... 11 Boundaries ...... 11 Map: New England Emergency Management Region and LGAs ...... 11 Map: New England Emergency Management Region & adjoining Queensland District Disaster Management Group/s ...... 12 Map: NSW Emergency Management Regions ...... 13 Landform and Topography ...... 13 Climate ...... 14 Temperature ...... 14 Temperature extremes ...... 14 Hot days ...... 14 Cold nights...... 14 Rainfall ...... 15 Fire weather ...... 15 Land Use ...... 16
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Population and People ...... 17 Overview ...... 17 Transport Routes and Facilities ...... 25 Map: New England North West major transport routes ...... 25 Economy and Industry ...... 26 Overview ...... 26 Industry and employment ...... 27 Historical Events ...... 29 Annexure B – Hazards and Risks Summary ...... 30 Part 3 – Local Emergency Management Plans ...... 38 Annexure C – Local EMPLAN Inventory ...... 38 Part 4 – Sub Plans and Supporting Plans ...... 44 Annexure D – Regional Sub Plan and Supporting Plan Matrices ...... 45
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Purpose
Details arrangements for, prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies within the Emergency Management Region covered by this plan.
It encompasses arrangements for:
• emergencies controlled by combat agencies; • emergencies controlled by combat agencies and supported by the Regional Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON); • emergency operations for which there is no combat agency; • circumstances where a combat agency has passed control to the REOCON; and, • demobilisation and transition of control from response to recovery.
Objectives
The objectives of this plan are to:
• support Local Emergency Management Plans (EMPLANs) and augment them when required; • identify trigger points for regional level activation, escalation and demobilisation; • define participating organisation and Functional Area roles and responsibilities in preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies; • set out the control, co-ordination, support and liaison arrangements at the Regional level; • detail activation and alerting arrangements for involved agencies at the Regional level; and • detail arrangements for the acquisition and co-ordination of resources at the Regional level. Scope
The plan describes the arrangements at Regional level to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and also provides policy direction for the preparation of Sub Plans and Supporting Plans. Further:
• This plan relies on effective implementation of the Governance framework for Emergency Management; • Arrangements detailed in this plan assume that the resources upon which the plan relies are available when required; and • The effectiveness of arrangements detailed in this plan are dependent upon all involved agencies preparing, testing and maintaining appropriate internal instructions, and/or standing operating procedures. Principles
The following principles are applied in this plan:
a) The Emergency Risk Management (ERM) process is to be used as the basis for emergency planning in New South Wales. This methodical approach to the planning process is to be applied by Emergency Management Committees at all levels.
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b) Responsibility for preparation, response and recovery rests initially at Local level. If Local agencies and available resources are not sufficient they are augmented by those at Regional level. c) Control of emergency response and recovery operations is conducted at the lowest effective level. d) Agencies may deploy their own resources from their own service from outside the affected Region if they are needed. e) The Regional Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON) is responsible, when requested by a combat agency, to co-ordinate the provision of resources support. EOCONs would not normally assume control from a combat agency unless the situation can no longer be contained. Where necessary, this should only be done after consultation with the State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON) and agreement of the combat agency and the appropriate level of control. f) Emergency preparation, response and recovery operations should be conducted with all agencies carrying out their normal functions wherever possible. g) Prevention measures remain the responsibility of authorities/agencies charged by statute with the responsibility.
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Activation, Escalation & Demobilisation
There are several Activation, Escalation and Demobilisation triggers that initiate and conclude this Regional EMPLAN or elevation of the emergency to a State level.
Activation Triggers: Support • Designated Combat Agency has a regional level plan for emergency response; • Whenever there is an impending or unforeseen emergency operation and Regional level support resources may be required;
Control • Where there is no designated Combat Agency and a regional level response is required; • Where it is necessary to coordinate two or more local level operations which are controlled by Emergency Operations Controllers; • When the REOCON considers it necessary; • When directed by the SEOCON to take control of an emergency response.
Escalation Triggers: Local to Regional • When an emergency grows beyond the capability of a Local EOC; • When the emergency crosses two or more local emergency management boundaries and the change in control level may improve the situation; • When significant Political, Environmental, Social, Technological or Economic impacts are foreseen; • When directed by the SEOCON.
Regional to State • When an emergency grows beyond the capability of a Regional EOC; • When the emergency crosses two or more Regional emergency management boundaries and the change in control level may improve the situation; • When significant Political, Environmental, Social, Technological or Economic impacts are foreseen; • When directed by the SEOCON.
Demobilisation Triggers: • When it is determined that the incident has scaled back to the extent a regional level response is no longer required; • When the response has transitioned into a longer-term recovery process and an appropriate handover to a recovery coordinator or committee occurs; • When it is determined that no further control or support is required for the emergency.
Note: The REMC may identify specific Regional triggers for activation, escalation and demobilisation beyond those listed above.
Control, Command and Coordination Structure
The Control, Command and Coordination (CCC) structure will vary according to the role that the Regional level response is taking. There are three standard structures that typically arise according to the role taken by the REOCON and REMC:
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1. The Region acting as a support mechanism to a Local emergency; 2. The Region supporting a Combat Agency for a Regional emergency; 3. The Region controlling a Regional emergency. Note: the specific CCC structure can vary according to the type of emergency and should be confirmed on each occasion between stakeholders with the standard arrangements considered. All LEOCONS in the New England Emergency Management Region are to consult with the REOCON before any Local Emergency Operation Centre is fully activated. Availability, number required and location of appropriate liaison officers to support multiple LEOCs is an operational factor and needs to be considered in the specific CCC structure for each event. The following diagrams represent the standard structures. State level resources – Blue Region level resources – Maroon Local level resources – Grey Directive and reporting flow – solid line Information / reporting flow only – dashed line
The Region acting as a support mechanism to a Local emergency:
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The Region supporting a Combat Agency for a Regional emergency:
Region controlling a Regional emergency:
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Test and Review Process
The New England Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC) will review this Plan every three (3) years as a part of the continuous improvement cycle, or following any:
• Significant Regional change such as boundary changes, Agency/Functional Area/Supporting organisation changes, facilities, etc; • activation of the Plan in response to an emergency; • legislative changes affecting the Plan; • reviews, inquiries and lessons learned that are relevant to the purpose of the plan; • exercises conducted to test all or part of the Plan.
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Part 2 – Context & Risk Assessment
Annexure A – Regional Profile Note: Information, data and statistics contained in ‘Annex A – Regional Profile’ has been obtained from various sources including government publications, emergency management agencies and publicly accessible websites including the Australian Bureau of Statistics. All these sources have been regarded as reliable and the information, data and statistics obtained as robust.
General The New England North West region covers an area of 98,600 square kilometres. It extends from Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Walcha and Armidale on the New England Tablelands in the north-east, through Inverell, Warialda, Bingara, Manilla, Tamworth, Quirindi and Gunnedah on the North West Slopes and on to the north-west plains of Narrabri and Moree.
The regional landscape varies from elevated inland tablelands and slopes to broad floodplains on west-flowing rivers, including the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre.
“The Cities of Armidale and Tamworth are recognised as regional cities. Together they will represent over half the region’s population and almost half the jobs by 2036”. http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Plans for your area/Regional Plans
Boundaries
Map: New England Emergency Management Region and LGAs
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Map: New England Emergency Management Region & adjoining Queensland District Disaster Management Group/s
Roma DDMG Warwick DDMG Logan DDMG
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Map: NSW Emergency Management Regions
Landform and Topography
The region contains some of the most fertile soils in Australia. The majority of the region is located in the Murray–Darling Basin. The main west-flowing river systems are the Namoi, Gwydir and Macintyre rivers. The region also contains the upper reaches of many coastal river systems, including the Clarence, Macleay and Manning.
Landform ranges from rugged ranges and tablelands along the Great Dividing Range in the east, through the slopes and plains in the central areas to plains country to the west.
Extensive national parks occur along the escarpment and other large parks include Mount Kaputar and Torrington on the tablelands and the Pilliga Community Conservation Areas on the western plains; however, most other national parks in the region are small and scattered, and many ecosystem types are not represented in reserves. The region’s wetlands support a diversity of flora and fauna that mostly depend on fluctuating water regimes of wetting and drying. The region contains some major floodplain wetlands including the internationally significant Gwydir Wetlands (Gingham and Lower Gwydir [Big Leather] watercourses) and Little Llangothlin Lagoon.
National parks including World Heritage listed areas that form part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (CERRA), gorge country and wild rivers on the rugged eastern fringe of the region include:
Cathedral Rock National Park which includes the highest peak in the region, Round Mountain
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• Guy Fawkes River National Park • New England National Park • Oxley Wild Rivers National Park • Washpool National Park • Werrikimbe National Park.
Climate The region has a diverse range of climates from the cooler and more temperate Northern Tablelands through to the dryer and hotter North West Slopes and Plains in the west.
The tablelands have a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. The far north-west of the region is hot and semi-arid, while much of the North West Slopes has a humid sub-tropical climate. The overall average rainfall is a moderate 700 mm per year, ranging from over 1200 mm on the tablelands to a minimum of less than 600 mm in the west. Rainfall is higher in summer and uniform across other seasons.
Temperature In summer, average temperatures range from 16–18°C along the Great Dividing Range to 26–28°C in the north-west. In winter, average temperatures range from 4–6°C along the Great Dividing Range, to 12–14°C on the north-west plains.
Average maximum temperatures in summer range from 36°C in the west of the region to 20°C along the higher areas of the New England Tablelands. The winter average minimum temperature ranges from –2–0°C on the Tablelands to 4–6°C on the north-west plains. The maximum summer and minimum winter temperatures increase away from the Great Dividing Range.
Seasonal variations are illustrated by average, minimum and maximum monthly temperatures averaged over the region (Figure 1). The average monthly temperatures range from around 9°C in July to just over 23°C in January.
The long-term temperature records indicate that temperatures in the New England North West region have been increasing since the 1960s. The longest period of continued temperature increase has occurred in the most recent decades.
Temperature extremes Temperature extremes, both hot and cold, occur infrequently but can have considerable impacts on health, infrastructure and our environment. Changes to temperature extremes often result in greater impacts than changes to average temperatures.
Hot days The number of days where the maximum temperature is above 35°C increases moving west away from the Great Dividing Range. The number of hot days ranges from typically none along the highest parts of the New England Tablelands through to over 50 days on the north-west plains west of Moree.
Cold nights The number of cold nights (minimum temperature below 2°C) decreases moving west from the Great Dividing Range. The higher parts of the New England Tablelands see on average from 90– 110 cold nights per year. On the north-western plains the number of cold nights ranges from fewer than 10 to up to 50 cold nights per year.
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Rainfall Rainfall varies considerably across the region. This variability is due to the complex interactions between regional weather patterns, the influence of larger-scale climate patterns such as El Niño Southern Oscillation and the topography of the Great Dividing Range and the north-west plains.
Average annual rainfall ranges from 1200–1600 mm along parts of the New England Tablelands through to 400–800 mm on the North West Slopes and Plains. Rainfall decreases as you move west.
More rain falls in summer than other seasons. Winter is the driest season with the plains west of Moree seeing less than 100 mm rain during June, July and August. The seasonal variations are fairly uniform throughout the North West Slopes, which receives 100–200 mm during autumn, winter and spring, with more rainfall in summer (200–300 mm).
Fire weather The risk of bushfire in any given region depends on four ‘switches’.
There needs to be enough vegetation (fuel), the fuel needs to be dry enough to burn, the weather needs to be favourable for fire to spread, and there needs to be an ignition source (Bradstock 2010).
All four of these switches must be on for a fire to occur. The Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is used in NSW to quantify fire weather. The FFDI combines observations of temperature, humidity and wind speed with an estimate of the fuel state.
Long-term observations of FFDI come from daily measurements of temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind speed at only a small number of weather stations in Australia, with 17 stations located in NSW and the ACT (Lucas 2010).
FFDI estimates are available for one station within the New England North West Region, Moree (Table 1). The average annual FFDI estimated for 1990–2009 is 12.1. The highest average FFDI occurs in spring and the lowest in winter.
Fire weather is classified as ‘severe’ when the FFDI is above 50, and most of the property loss from major fires in Australia has occurred when the FFDI reached this level (Blanchi et al. 2010).
FFDI values below 12 indicate low to moderate fire weather, 12-25 high, 25- 49 very high, 50-74 severe, 75-99 extreme and above 100 catastrophic.
Severe fire weather conditions are estimated to occur on average three days per year at Moree. These days are more likely to occur in summer and spring.
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Land Use
Land Use Zone / Type / Area % of Region Dependencies Classification
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NB: This map includes part of Central West namely the Walgett LGA.
Australian Land Use Profiles – then search for Land use.
Population and People
Overview The region’s population is over 182,500, with about half of that number living in the main urban areas of the region, including the two major regional centres of Armidale and Tamworth and the five major towns of Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah.
There are about 75,600 employees in the region; the largest employers include agriculture, tourism, retail and educational services. The region is a part of the Murray–Darling Basin, and plays a significant role in international exports of Australian agricultural products.
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2011 Population for New England and North West
70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0
Projected population for the New England and North West 2011-2031 200,000
195,000
190,000
185,000
180,000
175,000 2011 2021 2031
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New England North West headline economic indicators
Indicator New England North West Regional NSW % % 2006 2011 2013 2006 2011 2013 chang change e GRP ($m) 6,294 8,420 8,905 5.1*^ 99,172 130,740 137,687 4.8*^ GRP/capita ($) 36,508 46,114 - 4.8* 36,490 44,588 - 4.1* GRP / FTE employee 86,696 119,634 - 6.7* 101,369 130,705 - 5.2* ($) Population 2,717,7 172,397 182,600 - 1.2* 2,932,200 - 1.5* 74 Dependency ratio (%) 58.8 60.3 - 1.6 pp 58.9 59.1 - 0.2 pp Employment (persons) 1,123,1 72,660 75,588 - 4.0 1,202,450 - 7.1 Census 42 Employment (persons) - - 82,900 - - 1,343,411 – LFS Employment (FTE) 72,597 70,385 - 3.0 978,327 1,000,271 - 2.2 Local jobs 66,176 66,787 - 0.9 954,884 994,524 - 4.2 Residents (%) who 1.8 ------commute out for work Unemployment rate 7.2 6.2 1.0 pp 7.0 6.2 -0.8 pp (%) Census Unemployment rate - - 6.4 - - - 6.2 – (%) LFS Indigenous unemp. 20.9 23.1 - 2.2 pp 19.9 18.7 - -1.2 pp rate (%) Average hours worked 37.3 37.8 0.51 35.5 36.0 0.61 Tertiary qualifications (% of working age 41.7 48.3 6.6 pp 46.5 53.7 7.2 pp population) Housing affordability 30.6 28.0 - -2.6 pp 32.2 30.9 -1.3 pp (%) Participation rate (%) 57 56.3 Definitions:
GRP Gross Regional Product. Source: Deloitte Access Economics
Dependency ratio Ratio of population aged
pp Percentage points
LFS ABS Labour Force Survey is source - not comparable with ABS Census Employment (FTE) Full-time equivalent employment. Source: Deloitte Access Economics
Local jobs Number of jobs in region, employment by Local Government Area
Residents who commute out for Residents who commute out of the region for employment. (Source: Bureau of work Transport Statistics (BTS) Journey to Work data) Proportion of labour force not employed but actively seeking work. (Source: ABS Unemployment rate Census or ABS Labour Force Survey) Mortgage repayment as % income Participation rate: Proportion of population Housing affordability (aged 15+) in the labour force (Data source is ABS Census unless otherwise noted in definitions).
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B01 SELECTED PERSON CHARACTERISTICS BY SEX Males Females Persons Total persons 86,906 89,288 176,194
Age groups: 0-4 years 6,144 5,940 12,084 5-14 years 12,585 11,766 24,351 15-19 years 6,206 6,023 12,229 20-24 years 5,096 5,124 10,220 25-34 years 8,920 9,421 18,341 35-44 years 10,357 11,102 21,459 45-54 years 11,953 12,402 24,355 55-64 years 11,631 11,254 22,885 65-74 years 8,405 8,527 16,932 75-84 years 4,403 5,314 9,717 85 years and over 1,206 2,415 3,621
Counted on Census Night: At home 80,906 83,924 164,830 Elsewhere in Australia 6,000 5,365 11,365
Indigenous persons: Aboriginal 7,422 7,813 15,235 Torres Strait Islander 148 165 313 Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander(a) 133 116 249 Total 7,703 8,094 15,797
Birthplace: Australia 76,359 78,579 154,938 Elsewhere(b) 5,300 5,464 10,764
Language spoken at home: English only 80,212 83,033 163,245 Other language(c) 2,209 2,188 4,397
Australian citizen 78,993 81,837 160,830
B13 LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME(a) BY SEX Males Females Persons Speaks English only 80,212 83,032 163,244
Speaks other language: Arabic 157 105 262 Assyrian 0 0 0 Australian Indigenous Languages 39 40 79 Chinese languages: Cantonese 118 114 232 Mandarin 154 158 312 Other(b) 57 54 111 Total 329 326 655 Croatian 8 11 19 Dutch 61 70 131 French 51 67 118 German 139 163 302 Greek 46 44 90 Hungarian 27 15 42 Indo-Aryan Languages: Bengali 49 45 94 Hindi 52 40 92 Punjabi 25 13 38 Sinhalese 19 20 39 Urdu 19 17 36 Other(c) 44 43 87 Total 208 178 386 Iranic Languages: Dari 5 0 5 Persian (excluding Dari) 27 20 47 Other(d) 8 5 13 Total 40 25 65 Italian 112 111 223
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B13 LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME(a) BY SEX Japanese 30 60 90 Khmer 0 3 3 Korean 48 21 69 Macedonian 3 0 3 Maltese 11 9 20 Polish 18 16 34 Portuguese 36 25 61 Russian 20 35 55 Samoan 21 19 40 Serbian 16 13 29 Southeast Asian Austronesian Languages: Filipino 35 85 120 Indonesian 25 27 52 Tagalog 65 94 159 Other (e) 12 15 27 Total 137 221 358 Spanish 46 61 107 Tamil 32 28 60 Thai 41 49 90 Turkish 11 10 21 Vietnamese 60 51 111 Other(f) 463 411 874 Total 2,210 2,187 4,397
Language spoken at home not stated 4,485 4,069 8,554
Total 86,907 89,288 176,195
This table is based on place of usual residence. This list of languages consists of the most common Language Spoken at Home responses reported in the 2006 Census.
B29 NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLES(a) BY DWELLINGS (occupied private dwellings) Dwellings Number of motor vehicles per dwelling: No motor vehicles 5,126 One motor vehicle 23,009 Two motor vehicles 23,373 Three motor vehicles 8,003 Four or more motor vehicles 3,886 Total 63,397
Number of motor vehicles not stated 2,483
Total 65,880
(a) Excludes motorbikes/scooters. (b) Excludes 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households.
B31 DWELLING STRUCTURE (occupied(a) and unoccupied private dwellings and persons(b) in occupied private dwellings) Dwellings Persons
Occupied private dwellings:
Separate house 58,661 148,596
Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse etc. with: One storey 1,701 2,804 Two or more storeys 321 577 Total 2,022 3,381
Flat, unit or apartment: In a one or two storey block 4,192 6,414 In a three-storey block 80 130 In a four or more-storey block 21 37 Attached to a house 69 104 Total 4,362 6,685
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B31 DWELLING STRUCTURE (occupied(a) and unoccupied private dwellings and persons(b) in occupied private dwellings) Other dwelling: Caravan, cabin, houseboat 473 761 Improvised home, tent, sleepers out 66 114 House or flat attached to a shop, office, etc. 208 462 Total 747 1,337
Dwelling structure not stated 87 189
Total occupied private dwellings 65,879 160,188
Unoccupied private dwellings 9,788 ..
Total private dwellings 75,667 160,188
(a) Excludes 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households. (b) Count of all persons enumerated in the dwelling on Census Night, including visitors from within Australia. Excludes usual residents who were temporarily absent on Census night Not applicable
B32 TENURE AND LANDLORD TYPE BY DWELLING STRUCTURE (occupied private dwellings(a)) Count of Dwelling structure Semi-detached, row or terrace house, Separate Flat, unit Other townhouse etc. house or apartment dwelling Not stated Total
Owned outright 23,615 419 370 292 29 24,725
Owned with a mortgage(b) 18,421 179 171 105 23 18,899
Rented: Real estate agent 5,918 678 2,226 36 7 8,865 State or territory housing authority 1,787 236 486 0 3 2,512 Person not in same household(c) 4,026 145 436 71 7 4,685 Housing co- operative/community/church 416 105 199 0 3 723 group Other landlord type(d) 1,534 26 144 119 10 1,833 Landlord type not stated 813 21 78 18 0 930 Total 14,494 1,211 3,569 244 30 19,548
Other tenure type(e) 533 87 26 13 0 659
Tenure type not stated 1,598 126 229 92 4 2,049
Total 58,661 2,022 4,365 746 86 65,880
(a) Excludes 'Visitors only' and 'Other non-classifiable' households. (b) Includes dwellings being purchased under a rent/buy scheme. (c) Comprises dwellings being rented from a parent/other relative or other person. (d) Comprises dwellings being rented through a 'Residential park (includes caravan parks and marinas)', 'Employer - Government (includes Defence Housing Authority)' and 'Employer - other employer'. (e) Includes dwellings being occupied under a life tenure scheme.
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B43 INDUSTRY OF EMPLOYMENT BY AGE BY SEX (over 15 years)
Age (years) 85 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 plus PERSONS
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 292 549 1,350 2,023 2,524 2,489 1,465 450 49 11,191 Mining 20 115 324 294 235 114 9 3 0 1,114 Manufacturing 339 598 1,117 1,092 1,090 625 127 12 3 5,003 Electricity, gas, water and waste 19 50 159 212 230 121 19 0 0 810 services Construction 289 578 929 1,039 1,071 763 149 13 0 4,831 Wholesale trade 114 212 432 521 580 348 91 10 3 2,311 Retail trade 1,503 982 1,331 1,518 1,604 1,049 235 25 6 8,253 Accommodation and food services 1,225 687 747 745 865 628 125 13 0 5,035 Transport, postal and warehousing 53 139 443 688 914 838 237 26 5 3,343 Information media and 36 75 140 112 146 98 19 0 0 626 telecommunications Financial and insurance services 44 136 332 380 320 196 41 11 0 1,460 Rental, hiring and real estate 66 83 172 192 184 133 45 7 3 885 services Professional, scientific and 78 241 570 624 668 532 133 11 0 2,857 technical services Administrative and support 46 111 263 390 446 333 67 3 0 1,659 services Public administration and safety 63 251 725 1,156 1,263 789 97 9 0 4,353 Education and training 82 318 1,246 1,788 2,199 1,549 260 18 0 7,460 Health care and social assistance 189 581 1,413 1,974 2,727 1,831 272 16 3 9,006 Arts and recreation services 60 74 111 136 129 96 29 6 0 641 Other services 270 359 573 604 622 460 137 26 0 3,051
Inadequately described/Not stated 145 121 240 332 343 293 157 55 9 1,695
Total 4,933 6,260 12,617 15,820 18,160 13,285 3,714 714 81 75,584
This table is based on place of usual residence.
B46 METHOD OF TRAVEL TO WORK BY SEX (over 15 years) Males Females Persons
One method: Train 17 8 25 Bus 208 155 363 Ferry 7 6 13 Tram (includes light rail) 4 0 4 Taxi 95 75 170 Car, as driver 24,998 22,108 47,106 Car, as passenger 2,463 2,320 4,783 Truck 1,672 59 1,731 Motorbike/scooter 476 62 538 Bicycle 318 55 373 Other 458 199 657 Walked only 2,302 1,756 4,058 Total one method 33,018 26,803 59,821
Two methods: Train and: Bus 3 3 6 Ferry 0 0 0 Tram (includes light rail) 0 0 0 Car, as driver 3 0 3 Car, as passenger 3 0 3 Other 0 4 4 Total 9 7 16 Bus and: Ferry 0 5 5 Tram (includes light rail) 0 0 0 Car, as driver 8 4 12 Car, as passenger 3 19 22 Other 7 0 7 Total 18 28 46
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B46 METHOD OF TRAVEL TO WORK BY SEX (over 15 years) Other two methods 298 139 437 Total two methods 325 174 499
Three methods: Train and two other methods 3 0 3 Bus and two other methods (excludes train) 0 3 3 Other three methods 39 7 46 Total three methods 42 10 52
Worked at home 3,394 3,252 6,646
Did not go to work 2,823 4,435 7,258
Method of travel to work not stated 712 598 1,310
Total 40,314 35,272 75,586
This table is based on place of usual residence.
More detailed information about the population may be viewed through the following link:
Census Community Profile Data Stats
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Transport Routes and Facilities
Map: New England North West major transport routes (Source: New England North West Regional Transport Plan December 2013)
The New England region is traversed by five major highways and a concentrated network of minor roads.
On the tablelands the New England Highway, which links Tamworth, Uralla, Armidale, Guyra, Glen Innes and Tenterfield is a major route linking New South Wales and Queensland.
The Newell Highway is a major route linking Victoria and Queensland through Narrabri and Moree.
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Thunderbolts Way from Gloucester provides the shortest route from Sydney to the New England and continues through Walcha, Uralla and Bundarra to Inverell.
The Oxley, Gwydir and Bruxner Highways and the Waterfall Way the New England region from west to east.
On the Western Slopes the Kamilaroi Highway runs in a north-western direction for 620 km, from Willow Tree passing through Quirindi, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Wee Waa until it reaches Bourke.
Fossickers Way is a tourist route that runs from Nundle to Warialda in the north and then east to Inverell and Glen Innes.
The major towns have air, coach and rail services that supplement the road network. The Main North railway line follows the same route as the New England Highway passing through Tamworth and terminating at Armidale A branch line from Werris Creek passes through Gunnedah and Narrabri before terminating at Moree.
Passenger trains run daily to and from Sydney between these points.
Infrequent goods trains also use this network as do regular coal trains moving coal from Boggabri to the Newcastle loading terminal. Bulk grain trains run across mainly the north-west route and are usually limited to the cropping season.
Tamworth and Armidale have regional level airports with daily services to Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.
More: NSW Street Directory
Economy and Industry
Overview In 2013, the New England-North West region contributed $8.9 billion to Gross Regional Product (GRP), representing 6% of Regional NSW’s total GRP ($137.7 billion).
The New England-North West region is one of the State’s most significant agricultural producers, generating over $2 billion in agricultural product.
Characterised by its rugged landscape, plateau and tablelands, the region is well suited to livestock grazing (particularly cattle) and crop cultivation (particularly cotton and wheat).
The region produces almost a quarter of the gross value of all crops in NSW and more than a fifth of its gross value of livestock slaughtering.
Between 2006 and 2013 the region experienced strong compound annual output growth (5.1% compared with the 4.8% average for Regional NSW).
The mining sector grew by 24% a year during this period, with significant growth recorded in coal, gas, gems and metals.
Service oriented industries – such as Education and Training, Health Care and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, Leisure and Business Services – are important contributors to the local economy. They play a particularly strong role in the major towns and local government areas of Armidale and Tamworth, which account for almost half the region’s population, employment and GRP.
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Population in the New England-North West region is expected to grow relatively slowly between now and 2031 (0.4% each year, compared with 0.7% for Regional NSW and 1.2% for the State).
The region’s agribusiness could benefit from a rising demand for agricultural commodities throughout the region.
The Education and Training sector is expected to continue as a significant economic driver, anchored by the University of New England.
Industry and employment More than 66,000 people are employed in the New England North West region, representing 7% of the Regional NSW total.
Employment in the New England-North West region remained relatively steady between 2006 and 2011 with around 1% growth (as compared with 4% in Regional NSW).
The agriculture sector is the region’s largest industry, with a 15% share of both regional output and employment. Output grew around 4% each year between 2006 and 2013.
However, this was not matched by employment growth, likely reflecting the increasing mechanisation of the sector.
Allied industries complement the primary production base in the New England North West, which is home to one of the State’s largest food processing sectors. In recent years, this sector has seen some consolidation and now has fewer, but larger operators. The sector also has strong links with the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry, which is developing new applications for international livestock genetics and other technologies for more efficient farming practices.
The services sector accounts for almost two thirds of employment and almost half of the output in the region.
The Education and Training sector – anchored by the University of New England, New England Institute of TAFE and aviation training facilities – is the second largest industry in the region, contributing around 8% to GRP.
Like other regional areas, Health Care and Social Assistance is one of the largest sectors, with increased demand from a growing and ageing population likely to drive continued growth in this sector.
The region’s visitor economy contributes around $740 million (or 8%) to its GRP, supporting a range of industries including the Accommodation and Food Services and allied Retail Trade sectors. Thanks to internationally recognised events, such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the region welcomes around 2.8 million visitors each year who stay for over 4.4 million nights.
Top 5 industries by contribution to GRP in 2013 (compared to Regional NSW):
New England-North West Regional NSW 1. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (14.6%) 1. Manufacturing (8.3%) 2. Education and Training (7.7%) 2. Health Care and Social Assistance (8.1%) 3. Health Care and Social Assistance (7.6%) 3. Mining (7.7%) 4. Public Administration and Safety (5.4%) 4. Construction (6.0%) 5. Manufacturing (5.4%) 5. Education and Training (5.9%)
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Top 5 employers by industry in 2011 (compared to Regional NSW)
New England North West Regional NSW 1. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (15.0%) 1. Health Care and Social Assistance (14.3%) 2. Health Care and Social Assistance (12.6%) 2. Retail Trade (12.5%) 3. Retail Trade (11.5%) 3. Education and Training (9.2%) 4. Education and Training (10.8%) 4. Manufacturing (8.7%) 5. Accommodation and Food Services (7.0%) 5. Accommodation and Food Services (8.4%) (Data provided by Deloitte Access Economics, August 2014)
New England North West Regional Economic Profile 2015.pdf
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Historical Events
Major events in the region:
Timeline Hazard Consequences February 1991 Flood (flash) Extensive flooding of the CBD and residential properties in Inverell. CBD affected by fast flowing water 1-2 metres deep. September 1996 Storm Strong winds, heavy rain and hail, hit Armidale and caused widespread damage. Estimated damage/cost $104 million. https://www.australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/1996/docs/9609-04.htm November 1997 Communicable An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred near the town of Tamworth costing diseases affecting $4.445m with 310,000 poultry destroyed along with 1.2 million fertilised eggs. animals November 2000 Flood (riverine) Floods devastated Gunnedah, Narrabri and Wee Waa. December 2004 Flood (riverine) Affecting Moree and Narrabri claimed three lives, isolated 266 properties and caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage. August 2007 Communicable A state-wide Equine Influenza outbreak caused significant issues throughout the New England disease affecting North West with the disease detected in horses across a wide area of the region. The outbreak that animals eventuated was the most serious emergency animal disease Australia has experienced in recent history. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/horses/health-and-disease/influenza/summary-of- the-200708-ei-outbreak November 2008 Flood (flash) Devastating damage occurred in the Tamworth, Somerton, Gunnedah and Weabonga areas after flash flooding. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-11-29/tamworth-declared-disaster-zone-after-flash/223412 January 2011 Flood (riverine) Boggabilla and Toomelah were evacuated following heavy rains in the South West Queensland area. The same rains caused flash flooding and widespread damage across the Tenterfield LGA. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-01-11/nsw-towns-cut-off-as-flooding-worsens/1901754 January 2004 Flood Tamworth experienced severe flooding during the Country Music Festival which required the evacuation of significant numbers of campers along the Peel River in the city. February 2012 Flood (riverine) 350 people were evacuated from their homes in Moree following extensive flooding in the Region and local catchments. http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2012-02-02/worst-floods-for-decades-strike-moree- district/6094000
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Annexure B – Hazards and Risks Summary
The hazards identified are those as having a risk of causing loss of life, damage to property, utilities, services and/or cause a significant disruption to the community’s ability to function within its normal capacity and which may require a significant and coordinated multi agency response.
The New England Regional Emergency Management Committee (NEREMC) has endeavoured to identify the level of control, emergency management support coordination, and risk controls for those hazards that may have the potential to cause loss of life, property, utilities services, and / or the community’s ability to function within its normal capacity.
The NEREMC has based its decision making on a process of reviewing the risk rating information from the respective LEMC Local EMPLAN Risks and summary processes which required reference to Local ERM studies to determine those of regional concern and involvement.
This includes hazards that may have consequences across a wide area of the Region which may be beyond the capacity of a Local EMPLAN to manage.
After examining Local Risk Controls the hazards that have been identified by the NEREMC are those that require visibility at the Regional level as they may present consequences requiring a higher level of control and/or coordination.
A Combat Agency may raise their level of control/coordination in accordance with their plan or to meet operational needs inclusive of coordinating out of area resources. However, it should be noted that the coordination of support to a Combat Agency by EOCONS to deal with community impacts may be achievable at lower management levels than the combat agency is utilising and may also be achievable without the activation of an EOC.
Any “emergency” event may happen to escalate requiring control intervention/coordination of support from higher levels and the NSW emergency management arrangements/structure caters for this possibility.
It is not the intention of the Regional EMPLAN to replace the role of a Local EMPLAN.
Risk Controls:
Rather than the NEREMC assess all hazards and their risk ratings at a Regional level, it has confirmed those broad (risk treatment) measures already in place to mitigate or prepare for these hazards within the Region.
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Residual Risk Priorities:
The New England Regional Emergency Management Committee (NEREMC) has endeavoured to identify the level of control/emergency management support coordination that may be required for those hazards that may have consequences across a wide area of the Region and which may be beyond the capacity of a Local Emergency Management area to manage.
The NEREMC has based its decision making to include a review of the risk rating information from the respective LEMC Local EMPLAN Risks and summary processes which required reference to Local ERM studies.
The NEREMC methodology applied for determining/allocating a regional residual risk priority is as follows:
Criteria Residual Risk Priorities Able to be managed at Local Level, unlikely to require region emergency management support coordination. Low Able to be managed at Local level, but may require region emergency management support coordination in Medium extreme events. Will require region emergency management support coordination in extreme events – Consider Region CMG. High State wide operation - region emergency management support required in extreme events - Region CMG Critical required.
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Residual Combat Hazard Risk Description Risk Controls Risk /Responsible Priority Agency • Import restrictions and quarantine to reduce probability of disease being introduced. • Disease surveillance and early detection • Minimise risk of spread through biosecurity measures, e.g. PPE, cleaning & disinfection of people, clothing, An vehicles and equipment Communicable agriculture/horticulture • Vaccination Department of incident that results, or Primary diseases affecting • Movement restrictions has potential to result, in Industries High agriculture and the spread of a • Livestock standstill of all susceptible livestock, may also (Agriculture and animals communicable disease apply to products, vehicles, equipment, and other things: Animal Services or infestation with broad may be controls on people movement involving live stock FA) community impacts. or crop (including horticulture) • Quarantine of infected property(ies) • Control of feral animals (disease vectors). • Environmental Services FA for support where animal destruction/disposal is involved
Failure of a major bridge structure with or without • All major bridge structure integrity monitored by RMS. warning owing to Adequately engineered to requirements Bridge Collapse structural failure or • Pre-existing traffic management plans for incidents Low LEOCON because of external/ closing bridges internal events or other hazards/ incidents. Collapse of building owing to structural failure FRNSW Building Collapse or impact from • No significant risk identified requiring regional response. Low (USAR) external/internal event of LEOCON other hazards /incidents.
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Residual Combat Hazard Risk Description Risk Controls Risk /Responsible Priority Agency • Public awareness of respiratory hygiene and infection control mechanisms. • Hand Hygiene • Minimise risk of spread through Infection prevention and control measures – cleaning and disinfection, PPE, isolation, quarantine Pandemic illness that Department of Communicable • Disease surveillance and early detection – Pathology affects, or has potential Health. Diseases Laboratories, and Emergency Departments High to affect, large portions (Health affecting humans • Mandatory reporting of Communicable Disease of the human population Services FA) • Contact and point source tracing • Prophylactic medication measures • Immunisation programs are in place, for those illnesses likely to result in Pandemic illness; however not all potential illness outbreaks have immunisation control • Existing business continuity for critical service provision. • Regulated Construction Methods A dam is compromised • Operating regulations for prescribed dams LEOCON Dam Failure that results in localised • Oversight by NSW Dam Safety Committee including Medium Dam Owners or widespread flooding. planning for failures NSW SES
Earthquake of significant Earthquake strength that results in No significant risk identified requiring regional response. Medium LEOCON localised or widespread damage.
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Residual Combat Hazard Risk Description Risk Controls Risk /Responsible Priority Agency • Bushfire Risk Management Plans in each BFMC detailing, prioritising and implementing hazard reductions in each area. Fire (Bush or • Section 52 Plan(s) of operations Major fires in areas of NSW RFS Medium Grass) bush or grasslands. • Annual checklists and IMX(s) FRNSW • Local & District PIPs and operational response codes ensuring adequate assets and weight of response in place for given FDR
• Building and environmental regulation and controls in place. • Safe Work NSW regulation and controls in place. Serious industrial fire in • Fire Safety Inspections, PIP’s, MAA’s & MOU’s and Fire (Industrial) office complexes and/or FRNSW Medium warehouses within appropriate resourcing NSW RFS industrial estates. • Environmental Services FA for support where chemical clean-up/disposal risks are present and F&R require assistance
Serious commercial fires • Building and environmental regulation and controls in in shopping centres, place. Fire (Commercial) FRNSW aged persons units, Low • Fire Safety Inspections, PIP’s, MAA’s & MOU’s and NSW RFS nursing homes and appropriate resourcing hospitals. • Building and environmental regulation and controls in Serious residential fire in place. Fire (Residential) FRNSW medium/high rise Low • Fire Safety Inspections, PIP’s, MAA’s & MOU’s and NSW RFS apartments. appropriate resourcing
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Residual Combat Hazard Risk Description Risk Controls Risk /Responsible Priority Agency • Land use management strategies by LGAs Sudden short duration • Development controls by LGAs Flash Flooding flooding, occurring less Storm water controls in populated areas • High NSW SES than six hours after • Retention Basins by LGAs heavy rainfall. • LGA Flood Plans & planning
High water level which • Land use management strategies by LGAs overtops the natural or • Development controls by LGAs artificial banks and/or Flooding Levees by LGAs and State Water overland flooding • Medium NSW SES associated with drainage • Retention Basins by LGAs before entering a • LGA Flood Plans & planning watercourse. • Building and environmental regulation and controls in place. • Fire Safety Inspections, PIP’s, MAA’s & MOU’s and Hazardous Hazardous material appropriate resourcing Release released because of an Medium FRNSW incident or accident. • Environmental Services FA for support where chemical clean-up/disposal risks are present and F&R require assistance
A sequence of • Public information / awareness campaigns abnormally hot • Monitoring impacts Heatwave conditions having the • Risk control managed at a State level. Region provides Medium REOCON potential to affect a resources and support to State priorities. community adversely.
Landslip/landslide Landslip No significant risk identified requiring regional response resulting in localised or • Low LEOCON widespread damage.
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Residual Combat Hazard Risk Description Risk Controls Risk /Responsible Priority Agency The Incitec Pivot Major Hazard Facility located at • Incitec Pivot Moree is the only MHF within the New Moree creates a risk of a rapid release into the England emergency management region. atmosphere of a large • Relevant controls rest with the Moree plains LEMC and Major Hazard volume of liquefied Incitec Pivot including a supporting plan. Low LEOCON Facility (MHF) ammonia in 4 possible • Hazardous Materials/Chemical, Biological, Radiological situations which has the sub plan. potential to impact on a large area surrounding • Environmental Services (ENVIROPLAN) supporting plan. the IPL facility including populated areas. Severe storm with accompanying lightning, • Building and environmental regulation and controls in hail, wind, and/or rain place Storm that causes severe • Storm water controls in populated areas High NSW SES damage and/or localised • Storm Plan flooding. (includes tornado) Aircraft crashes in the Transport Region resulting in large • Highly regulated at commercial level. Emergency (Air) number of fatalities, • CASA regulated Airport Emergency Plans Low LEOCON injuries and/or damage to property. A major vehicle accident that disrupts one or more • No significant risk identified requiring regional response. Transport major transport routes • Alternate routes for major roads/highways that can result in risk to Emergency people trapped in traffic • identified in Traffic Management Plans Low LEOCON (Road) jams, restrict supply • Environmental Services FA for support where routes and/or protracted F&R/LEOCON require assistance loss of access to or from the area.
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Residual Combat Hazard Risk Description Risk Controls Risk /Responsible Priority Agency A major rail accident that disrupts one or more No significant risk identified requiring regional response Transport major rail routes that can • Environmental Services FA for support where chemicals, Emergency (Rail) result in risk to restriction dangerous goods etc. pose risk of environmental harm Low LEOCON of supply routes and/or and LEOCON requires assistance protracted loss of access to or from the area. Transport A major accident that Relevant Port / Choose Emergency results in environmental Not relevant. Maritime / an item. (Maritime) damage and major FRNSW recovery operation A tsunami wave of Choose Tsunami magnitude that presents Not relevant. NSW SES a risk to land and marine an item. elements. Major failure of an essential utility for • Service replication / rerouting where available Utilities Failure unreasonable periods of Building and environmental regulation and controls • Medium LEOCON time because of a natural • Business continuity plans. or man-made occurrence.
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Part 3 – Local Emergency Management Plans It is inherent that the Regional EMPLAN has a strong link to the Local EMPLANs to ensure that the community requirements and major hazards and risks identified are catered for. The REMC have clear Governance responsibilities to ensure that the standard of all Local EMPLANs meet the prescribed standard and enable the Region to prepare for and provide support to LEMCs as anticipated. Annexure C provides a summary of all endorsed Local EMPLANs. Annexure C – Local EMPLAN Inventory
General considerations across all locations:
• All Agencies - Normal internal agency escalation processes apply. • All Agencies - Consideration of provision of Liaison officers to Local EOC where appropriate. • NSW Health – Control response operations for Pandemics. • Welfare Services FAC – Coordination of welfare support to all emergencies. • Energy & Utilities FA – provision of support / information through REOC/REMO from State EUSFAC.
Where a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating has been declared by the BoM or significant bush fire activity, whether potential or actual, occurring within the New England Emergency Management Region, the NSW Police Force Western Region Operations Centre (ROC) will be activated.
All Population Health response & recovery implementation strategies will be coordinated at the regional level.
Regional Welfare Services requirements to set-up and manage Evacuation Centres will require assistance with planning, coordination and support.
Response and Recovery will rely heavily on key lifeline services and adequate Business Continuity Plans E.g. Power, water, sewerage transport & communications etc.
Reference: Western Region Concept of Operations – Emergency Management Support to NSW RFS.
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Endorsed Review LEMC Key Regional Planning Considerations References Date Date Armidale city has experienced severe hail storms in recent times resulting in significant and widespread damage across the city.
No Regional level support was required but in another such event it would likely be a state level recovery operation. The Region would contribute to this process. Armidale
Regional The regional University of New England is in Armidale and any Refer to local Sub-plans (including and/or combat agency 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 significant interruption to business continuity could have financial and Walcha & reputation impacts to the New England Region that may require response plans. Uralla Regional support. LGAs) The Academic and Residential Campuses sit on 600 acres within the town boundary of Armidale.
8000 acres across four farms on the urban fringe and surrounding Armidale with varying fuel loads and topography from flat cropping country to heavily treed steep country. Refer to local Sub-plans Glen Innes 14/9/2016 14/9/2019 Regular bushfires in the heavily timbered areas to the east of the and/or combat agency Severn township. No Regional support required. response plans.
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Endorsed Review LEMC Key Regional Planning Considerations References Date Date Has a long history of flooding from the Namoi river impacting on low lying areas of the town which required evacuations. A program of mitigation and relocation works has lessened the extent of any future major flooding.
The village of Carroll would be significantly impacted in the event of a large release of water from Keepit Dam which would require Regional support.
Proximity of heavily timbered countryside close to residential areas poses some risk of out of control bush fire in the location impacting on houses. Regional support would be likely.
Potential risk associated with fire/spontaneous combustion affecting coal Refer to local Sub-plans Gunnedah 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 mines and can have severe implications for air quality/human health. and/or combat agency
Significant cotton growing and processing. Cotton Gins often stockpile response plans. significant volumes of cotton prior to processing and/or cotton trash which is composted on-site.
Past fires (e.g. one west of Wee Waa 5 or 6 years back) can be difficult to extinguish, and like coal fires can continue for extended periods and cause significant air quality impacts/health implications for surrounding residents/towns.
For three days in August AgQuip, Australia’s biggest primary industry event, is staged annually in Gunnedah NSW - with a history covering 46 years. It is estimated that the event attracts around 100,000 people including 800 exhibitors representing approximately 3,000 companies.
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Endorsed Review LEMC Key Regional Planning Considerations References Date Date Localised flooding occurs without any Regional support. Refer to local Sub-plans and/or combat agency The Warialda High School is close to bushland to the south of the town response plans. Gwydir 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 and a bushfire blowing in from the south would pose a threat to the High
School and nearby houses. The Gwydir LEMC and the High School have in place an evacuation plan should the threat require students and Warialda High School residents require evacuation. evacuation plan. The township is subject to flash flooding where high volumes of heavy rain fall on a wet river catchment. Such an event in the 1990’s caused Refer to local Sub-plans Inverell 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 significant damage to the CBD and nearby residences. and/or combat agency
A repeat of this event would require Regional support and a State Level response plans. Recovery operation. No significant events recorded that would require Regional support. Refer to local Sub-plans Liverpool 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 and/or combat agency Plains Potential risk associated with fire/spontaneous combustion affecting coal mines as can have severe implications for air quality/human health. response plans.
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Endorsed Review LEMC Key Regional Planning Considerations References Date Date Moree Plains has a history of major flooding resulting in widespread damage across the rural sector and on occasions has required evacuations of Moree and Boggabilla and Toomelah and regional support.
When a possible maximum flood occurs, parts of Moree and/or Refer to local Sub-plans Boggabilla/Toomelah will be affected and may require an evacuation of up to approx. 1000 people and will require assistance with planning and and/or combat agency Moree response plans. 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 execution including the transition to recovery. Plains During a Major Hazardous Facility emergency at Incitec Pivot, regional Moree Plains Flood level Environmental Services Functional Area Coordinator will be Evacuation Plan. required to facilitate recovery strategies.
Past fires (e.g. one west of Wee Waa 5 or 6 years back) can be difficult to extinguish, and like coal fires can continue for extended periods and cause significant air quality impacts/health implications for surrounding residents/towns.
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Endorsed Review LEMC Key Regional Planning Considerations References Date Date Whilst has a history of flooding there have been no recent events that have required a regional involvement.
Significant bushfires occur regularly in the Pilliga and Nandewar ranges locations but Regional support has not been required.
Semi-rural and rural lifestyle properties to the south and east of Narrabri have on occasions experienced severe storms that caused damage to Refer to local Sub-plans Narrabri 8/6/2016 8/6/2019 homes and other infrastructure. On these occasions, other than and/or combat agency monitoring there has not been any Regional support called for. response plans.
Potential risk associated with fire/spontaneous combustion affecting coal mines as can have severe implications for air quality/human health.
These fires can be difficult to extinguish, and like coal fires can continue for extended periods and cause significant air quality impacts/health implications for surrounding residents/towns. Has a history of flooding but significant flood control works including levees and increased drainage have mitigated the impacts. Other than monitoring, no other Regional support has been required.
A severe storm in the Dungowan location in 2008 resulted in flash Refer to local Sub-plans Tamworth flooding and widespread damage to roads, bridges and rural industries. 14/9/2016 14/9/2019 Recovery was managed locally with regional representation on the and/or combat agency Regional recovery Committee. response plans.
Poultry industry has a significant presence – possible risk of disease outbreak e.g. (Newcastle Disease as per Mangrove Mountain past example, or Avian Flu). Avian Flu can present significant Human health risks (depending on strain) and have had previous outbreak in 1990s. Has experienced a severe storm and flash flooding causing damage to Refer to local Sub-plans Tenterfield 14/9/2016 14/9/2019 private property and public infrastructure alongside Tenterfield Creek and/or combat agency which runs through the centre of town. A repeat of such an event would require Regional support and Recovery Operation. response plans.
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