BENALLA RURAL CITY COUNCIL Flood Emergency Plan
A Sub-Plan of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan
For Benalla Rural City Council And VICSES North East Region and the Benalla Unit
Version 1.0, June 2014
“Intentionally Blank”.
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Table of Contents
DISTRIBUTION LIST ...... V
DOCUMENT TRANSMITTAL FORM / AMENDMENT CERTIFICATE ...... VI
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS ...... VII
PART 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 MUNICIPAL ENDORSEMENT ...... 1
1.2 THE MUNICIPALITY ...... 2
1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN ...... 2
1.4 MUNICIPAL FLOOD PLANNING COMMITTEE (MFPC) ...... 2
1.5 RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLANNING, REVIEW & MAINTENANCE OF THIS PLAN ...... 3
1.6 ENDORSEMENT OF THE PLAN ...... 3
PART 2. PREVENTION / PREPAREDNESS ARRANGEMENTS ...... 4
2.1 COMMUNITY AWARENESS FOR ALL TYPES OF FLOODING ...... 4
2.2 STRUCTURAL FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 4
2.3 NON-STRUCTURAL FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 4
2.3.1 Exercising the Plan ...... 4
2.3.2 Flood Warning ...... 4
2.3.3 Local Knowledge ...... 4
PART 3. RESPONSE ARRANGEMENTS ...... 5
3.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 5
3.1.1 Activation of Response ...... 5
3.1.2 Responsibilities ...... 5
3.1.3 Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC) ...... 5
3.1.4 Escalation ...... 5
3.2 STRATEGIC CONTROL PRIORITIES ...... 6
3.3 COMMAND, CONTROL & COORDINATION ...... 6
3.3.1 Control ...... 6
3.3.2 Incident Controller (IC) ...... 7
3.3.3 Incident Control Centre (ICC) ...... 7
3.3.4 Divisions and Sectors ...... 8
3.3.5 Incident Management Team (IMT) ...... 8
3.3.6 Emergency Management Team (EMT) ...... 8 Benalla Rural City Council Flood Emergency Plan – A Sub-Plan of the MEMPlan - iii -
3.3.7 On Receipt of a Flood Watch / Severe Weather Warning ...... 8
3.3.8 On Receipt of the First and Subsequent Flood Warnings ...... 9
3.4 COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND WARNINGS ...... 10
3.5 MEDIA COMMUNICATION ...... 11
3.6 RAPID IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 11
3.7 PRELIMINARY DEPLOYMENTS ...... 11
3.8 RESPONSE TO FLASH FLOODING ...... 11
3.9 EVACUATION ...... 12
3.10 FLOOD RESCUE ...... 12
3.11 AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT ...... 13
3.12 RESUPPLY ...... 13
3.13 ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROPERTY PROTECTION ...... 14
3.14 DISRUPTION TO SERVICES ...... 14
3.15 ROAD CLOSURES ...... 14
3.16 DAM FAILURE ...... 15
3.17 WASTE WATER RELATED PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AND CRITICAL SEWERAGE ASSETS ...... 15
3.18 AFTER ACTION REVIEW ...... 15
PART 4. EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RECOVERY ARRANGEMENTS ...... 16
4.1 GENERAL ...... 16
4.2 EMERGENCY RELIEF ...... 16
4.3 ANIMAL WELFARE ...... 16
4.4 TRANSITION FROM RESPONSE TO RECOVERY ...... 16
APPENDIX A - FLOOD THREATS FOR BENALLA RURAL CITY MUNICIPALITY ...... 17
APPENDIX B - TYPICAL FLOOD PEAK TRAVEL TIMES ...... 19
APPENDIX C – BENALLA FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN ...... 20
APPENDIX D - FLOOD EVACUATION ARRANGEMENTS ...... 27
APPENDIX E - FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS ...... 32
APPENDIX F – MAPS ...... 33
APPENDIX G – LOCAL KNOWLEDGE ARRANGEMENTS ...... 40
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Distribution List
Copy Issue To: Date No. Name Organisation Original MEMP Committee Executive Officer
1 Council Office Copy
2 MEMP Committee Chairman
3 MERO
4 Deputy MERO
5 MRM
MERC (Snr Sgt Mark Byers Benalla Police 6 Station)
7 RERC
8 OIC Benalla Police Station
10 VICSES North East RHQ
11 VICSES Benalla unit
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management 13 Authority
14 Bureau of Meteorology (Flood Warning)
15 DEPI Benalla
16 Parks Victoria
17 Ambulance Victoria
18 CFA BENALLA] Brigade
19 CFA (WANGARATTA Region Headquarters)
20 VicRoads (Benalla)
Department of Human Services 21 Benalla/Wangaratta
22 Department of Health
23 SP Ausnet
25 Water Retailer NEWater
27 Spare Copies
28 Spare Copies
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Document Transmittal Form / Amendment Certificate
This Municipal Flood Emergency Plan (MFEP) will be amended, maintained and distributed as required by VICSES in consultation with the Benalla Rural City Council.
Suggestions for amendments to this Plan should be forwarded to VICSES Regional Office
Regional Manager North East Region Victoria State Emergency Service 64 Sydney Road, Benalla, Victoria, 3672
Amendments listed below have been included in this Plan and promulgated to all registered copyholders.
Amendment Date of Amendment Summary of Amendment Number Amendment Entered By
This Plan will be maintained on the (www.ses.vic.gov.au and / or Benalla rural City Council) website.
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List of Abbreviations & Acronyms
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in the Plan:
AEP Annual Exceedance Probability AHD Australian Height Datum (the height of a location above mean sea level in metres) AIIMS Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System AoCC Area of Operations Control Centre / Command Centre ARI Average Recurrence Interval ARMCANZ Agricultural & Resource Management Council of Australia & New Zealand AV Ambulance Victoria BoM Bureau of Meteorology CEO Chief Executive Officer CERM Community Emergency Risk Management CFA Country Fire Authority CMA Catchment Management Authority RERC Regional Emergency Response Coordinator RERCC Regional Emergency Response Coordination Centre DHS Department of Human Services DH Department of Health DoI Department of Infrastructure DEPI Department of Environment and Primary Industries (successor body to DSE and DPI) EMMV Emergency Management Manual Victoria EMT Emergency Management Team EO Executive Officer FO Floodway Overlay FWS Flood Warning System FZ Floodway Zone IC Incident Controller ICC Incident Control Centre IMT Incident Management Team IMS Incident Management System EMLO Emergency Management Liaison Officer LSIO Land Subject to Inundation Overlay MECC Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre MEMP Municipal Emergency Management Plan MEMPC Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee MERC Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator MERO Municipal Emergency Resource Officer MFB Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board MRM Municipal Recovery Manager PMF Probable Maximum Flood RCC Regional Control Centre RDO Regional Duty Officer SBO Special Building Overlay SCC State Control Centre SEWS Standard Emergency Warning System SHERP State Health Emergency Response Plan SOP Standard Operating Procedure VicPol Victoria Police VICSES Victoria State Emergency Service
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Part 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Municipal Endorsement This Municipal Flood Emergency Plan (MFEP) has been prepared by Benalla Rural City Council and with the authority of the (MEMPC) – (refer to section 1.6 endorsement of plan) pursuant to Section 20 of the Emergency Management Act 1986 (as amended).
This MFEP is a sub plan to the Benalla Rural City Council Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP), is consistent with the Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV) and the Victoria Flood Management Strategy (DNRE, 1998a), and takes into account the outcomes of the Community Emergency Risk Management (CERM) process undertaken by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee (MEMPC).
The Municipal Flood Emergency Plan is consistent with the Regional Flood Emergency Plan and the State Flood Emergency Plan.
This Municipal Flood Emergency Plan is a result of the cooperative efforts of the Benalla Rural City Council Flood Planning Committee (MFPC) and its member agencies.
This Plan is endorsed by the Benalla Rural City Council MEMPC as a sub-plan of the MEMP.
Endorsement
…………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………..
SES North East Regional Manager Date
…………………………….………………………………………………………………………….…………..
Mayor / Councillor Date
(Chair - Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee)
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1.2 The Municipality An outline of Benalla Rural City Council in terms of its location, demography and other general matters is provided in the MEMP. An outline of the flood threat is provided in Appendix A of this Plan.
1.3 Purpose and Scope of this Flood Emergency Plan The purpose of this MFEP is to detail arrangements agreed for the planning, preparedness/prevention, response and recovery from flood incidents within the Benalla Rural City Council.
As such, the scope of the Plan is to: . Identify the Flood Risk to the community Benalla Rural City Council; . Support the implementation of measures to minimise the causes and impacts of flood incidents within the Benalla Rural City Council municipal area; . Detail Response and Recovery arrangements including Preparedness, Incident Management, Command and Control; . Identify linkages with Local, Regional and State emergency and wider planning arrangements with specific emphasis on those relevant to flood.
1.4 Municipal Flood Planning Committee (MFPC) Membership of the Benalla Rural City Council Flood Planning Committee (MFPC) will comprise of the following representatives from the following agencies and organisations: . VICSES (i.e. Unit Controller & Regional Officer – Emergency Management) (Chair), . Benalla Rural City Council, . Victoria Police (i.e. Municipal Emergency Response Co-ordinator) (MERC), . Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, . Department of Health (DH) as required, . Department of Human Services (DHS) as required, . Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) as required, . Water Authorities as required, . Bureau of Meteorology as required, . Local community representatives and . Other agencies as required
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1.5 Responsibility for Planning, Review & Maintenance of this Plan This Municipal Flood Emergency Plan must be maintained in order to remain effective.
VICSES through the Flood Planning Committee has responsibility for preparing, reviewing, maintaining and distributing this plan. The MFPC will meet at least once per year.
The plans should be reviewed:
- Following any new flood study;
- After a change in non-structural and/or structural flood mitigation measures;
- Following the occurrence of a significant flood event within the Municipality to review and where necessary amend arrangements and information contained within this plan.
1.6 Endorsement of the Plan The MFEP will be circulated to MFPC to seeking acceptance of the draft plan.
Upon acceptance, the plan is forwarded to the MEMPC for endorsement with the recommendation to include the MFEP as a sub-plan of the MEMPlan.
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Part 2. PREVENTION / PREPAREDNESS ARRANGEMENTS
2.1 Community awareness for all types of flooding Details of this MFEP will be released to the community through local media, the FloodSafe program, and Council website upon formal adoption by Benalla Rural City Council.
VICSES with the support of Benalla Rural City Council and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority will coordinate community education programs for flooding within the council area. E.g. FloodSafe / StormSafe.
A FloodSafe Community Education/Communication Plan has been developed.
2.2 Structural Flood Mitigation Measures The following summary of structural flood mitigation measures exist within the Council area: . Levees (No known levees are located within the Benalla municipality). . Retarding Basins. Lake Benalla is a significant natural feature of local and regional importance. The establishment of the lake in the 1970’s has transformed the central area of Benalla. Various land uses adjoin the lake and its environs including residential, commercial, recreation, riverine habitat and farming. The Lake is designed to maintain free passage and temporary storage of floodwaters. Refer to appendix C for detailed information of structural flood mitigation measures.
2.3 Non-structural Flood Mitigation Measures
2.3.1 Exercising the Plan
Arrangements for exercising this Plan will be at the discretion of the MEMPC. This plan should be subject to scenario based exercise on an annual basis. Refer to section 4.7 of the EMMV for guidance.
2.3.2 Flood Warning
Arrangements for flood warning are contained within the State Flood Emergency Plan and the EMMV (Part 3.7) and on the BoM website.
Specific details of local flood warning system arrangements are provided in appendix E.
2.3.3 Local Knowledge
The VICSES Local Knowledge Policy outlines the strategies and principles for ensuring the incorporation of local knowledge in decision making before, during and after incidents.
Specific details of arrangements to capture local knowledge are provided in Appendix G.
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Part 3. RESPONSE ARRANGEMENTS
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Activation of Response
Flood response arrangements may be activated by the Regional Duty Officer (RDO) VICSES North East Region or Incident Controller (IC).
The Incident Controller/ VICSES RDO will activate agencies as specified in the State Flood Emergency Management Plan of 2012 or later.
3.1.2 Responsibilities
There are a number of agencies with specific roles that will act in support of VICSES and provide support to the community in the event of a serious flood within the Benalla Rural City Council. These agencies will be engaged through the Emergency Management Team (EMT) either at the ICC or via teleconferences’ with the Incident Controller.
The general roles and responsibilities of supporting agencies are as agreed within the Benalla Rural City Council MEMP, EMMV (Part 7 ‘Emergency Management Agency Roles’), State Flood Emergency Plan and Regional Flood Emergency Plan.
3.1.3 Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC)
Liaison with the MECC will be through the established Division/Sector Command and through Municipal involvement in the Incident EMT, in particular the Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator (MERC). The VICSES RDO / ICC will liaise with the MECC directly if no Division/Sector Command is established.
The function, location, establishment and operation of the MECC will be as detailed in the Benalla Rural City Council MEMP.
3.1.4 Escalation
Many flood incidents are of local concern with localised impacts and an appropriate response can be coordinated with local resources. However, when these resources are exhausted, unavailable or insufficient the States’ arrangements provide for further resources to be made available, firstly from neighbouring Municipalities (on a regional basis) and then on a State- wide basis.
Resourcing and event escalation arrangements are described in the EMMV (‘State Emergency Response Plan’ – section 3.5).
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3.2 Strategic Control Priorities State wide, interagency Strategic Control Priorities have been established Tto provide guidance to the Incident Management Team (IMT), the following strategic control priorities shall form the basis of incident action planning processes: Regional Controllers and Incident Controllers when managing responses to emergencies. These priorities are:
1. Protection and preservation of life is paramount - this includes:
a. Safety of emergency services personnel, and;
b. Safety of community members including vulnerable community members and visitors/tourist located within the incident area.
2. Issuing of community information and community warnings detailing incident information that is timely, relevant and tailored to assist community members make informed decisions about their safety.;
3. Protection of critical infrastructure and community assets that supports community resilience;
4. Protection of residential property as a place of primary residence;
5. Protection of assets supporting individual livelihoods and economic production that supports individual and community financial sustainability
6. Protection of environmental and conservation values that considers the cultural, biodiversity, and social values of the environment;
Circumstances may arise where the Incident Controller is required to vary these priorities, with the exception being that the protection of life should remain the highest. Any variation to these priorities will be done in consultation with the State Controller and relevant stakeholders based on sound incident predictions and risk assessments.
3.3 Command, Control & Coordination The Command, Control and Coordination arrangements in this Municipal Flood Emergency Plan must be consistent with those detailed in State and Regional Flood Emergency Plans. For further information, refer to sections 3.4, 3.5 & 3.6 of the EMMV.
The specific details of the Command, Control and Coordination arrangements for this plan are to be provided in Appendix C.
3.3.1 Control
Functions 5(a) and 5(c) at Part 2 of the Victoria State Emergency Service Act 1986 (as amended) detail the authority for VICSES to plan for and respond to flood.
Part 7.1 of the EMMV prepared under the Emergency Management Act 1986 (as amended), identifies VICSES as the Control Agency for flood. It identifies DEPI as the Control Agency responsible for “dam safety, water and sewerage asset related incidents” and other emergencies
All flood response activities within the Benalla Rural City Council including those arising from a dam failure, retarding or retention basin / levee bank failure incident will therefore be under the control of the appointed Incident Controller, or his / her delegated representative.
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3.3.2 Incident Controller (IC)
An Incident Controller (IC) will be appointed by the VICSES (as the Control Agency) to command and control available resources in response to a flood event on the advice of the Bureau of Meteorology (or other reliable source) that a flood event will occur or is occurring. The Incident Controller responsibilities are as defined in Part 3.5 of the EMMV
3.3.3 Incident Control Centre (ICC)
As required, the Incident Controller will establish an Incident Control Centre (ICC) from which to initiate incident response command and control functions. The decision as to if and when the ICC should be activated, rests with the Vic SES as the Control Agency.
Pre-determined Incident Control Centre locations are
Location Shepparton
Owner CFA District 22
Address 195-205 Numurkah Road Shepparton.
And/or
Location Wangaratta
Owner CFA District 23
Address 1 Ely street, Wangaratta.
Location Seymour
Owner CFA District 12
Address 39 McIntyre Street, Seymour.
Location Benalla
Owner SES Regional Headquarters
Address 64 Sydney Road, Benalla.
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3.3.4 Divisions and Sectors
To ensure that effective Command and Control are in place, the Incident Controller may establish Divisions and Sectors depending upon the complexity of the event and resource capacities.
The following Divisions and Sectors may be established to assist with the management of flooding within the Municipality:
ICC Location Division Sector Benalla SES North Benalla SES Wangaratta CFA South Benalla FOV (VicRoads?) Benalla SES Shepparton CFA Seymour CFA
Shepparton CFA Marysville SES, Seymour SES, Alexandra Seymour CFA SES/CFA, Yea CFA (Kinglake SES to Seymour CFA relocate) Mansfield, Jamieson CFA Shepparton CFA Mooroopna, Nagambie CFA, Murchison SES Tatura SES Seymour CFA Shepparton CFA Shepparton Search and Rescue (using IT Kialla, Shepparton, Rescue Boat Sector Seymour CFA Field Kit and Portable SMR if required)
3.3.5 Incident Management Team (IMT)
The Incident Controller will form an Incident Management Team (IMT).
Refer to 3.5 of the EMMV for guidance on IMTs and Incident Management Systems (IMSs).
3.3.6 Emergency Management Team (EMT)
The Incident Controller will establish a multi-agency Emergency Management Team (EMT) to assist the flood response. The EMT will consist of key personnel (with appropriate authority) from stakeholder agencies and relevant organisations who need to be informed of strategic issues related to incident control and who are able to provide high level strategic guidance and policy advice to the Incident Controller for consideration in developing incident management strategies.
Organisations, including Benalla Rural City Council, required within the EMT will provide an Emergency Management Liaison Officer (EMLO) to the ICC if and as required as well as other staff and / or resources identified as being necessary, within the capacity of the organisation.
Refer to 3.5 of the EMMV for guidance on EMTs.
3.3.7 On Receipt of a Flood Watch / Severe Weather Warning
The Incident Controller or VICSES Regional Duty Officer (until an incident controller is appointed) will undertake actions as defined within the flood intelligence cards (appendix C). General considerations by the Incident Controller/VICSES RDO will be as follows: . Review flood intelligence to assess likely flood consequences . Monitor weather and flood information – www.bom.gov.au . Establish Command and Control requirements. . Review local resources and consider needs for further resources regarding personnel, property protection, flood rescue and air support
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. Notify and brief appropriate officers. This includes Regional Control Centre (RCC) (if established), State Control Centre (SCC) (if established), Council and, other emergency services through the EMT. . Assess ICC readiness (including staffing of IMT and EMT) and open if required . Ensure flood bulletins and community information are prepared and issued to the community . Monitor watercourses and ensure reconnaissance of low-lying areas occurs . Implement media and community information management strategy . Ensure any flood mitigation works established within the Municipality are being checked by their owners. (ie. Council, CMA or DEPI) . Develop issue and maintain incident action plan (IAP), as required . Develop and issue Situation Reports (SitReps), as required
3.3.8 On Receipt of the First and Subsequent Flood Warnings
Incident Controller/VICSES RDO (until an incident controller is appointed) will undertake actions as defined within the flood intelligence cards (appendix C). General considerations by the Incident Controller/VICSES RDO will be as follows: . Develop an appreciation of current flood levels and predicted levels. Are floodwaters, rising, peaking or falling? . Review flood intelligence to assess likely flood consequences. Consider: What areas may be at risk of inundation
What areas may be at risk of isolation
What areas may be at risk of indirect affects as a consequence of power, gas, water, telephone, sewerage, health, transport or emergency service infrastructure interruption
The characteristics of the populations at risk . Determine what the at-risk community need to know and do as the flood develops. . Warn the at-risk community including ensuring that an appropriate warning and community information strategy is implemented including details of:
The current flood situation
Flood predictions What the consequences of predicted levels may be
Public safety advice
Who to contact for further information Who to contact for emergency assistance . Liaise with relevant asset owners as appropriate (i.e. water and power utilities) . Implement response strategies as required based upon flood consequence assessment. . Continue to monitor the flood situation – www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/ . Continue to conduct reconnaissance of low-lying areas
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3.4 Community Information and Warnings Guidelines for the distribution of community information and warnings are contained in the State Flood Emergency Plan.
Community information and warnings communication methods available include: . Emergency Alert; . Phone messages (including SMS); . Radio and Television; . Two-way radio; . Mobile and fixed public address systems; . Sirens; . Verbal Messages (i.e. Doorknocking); . Agency Websites; . VICSES Flood Storm Information Line; . Variable Message Signs (i.e. road signs); . Community meetings; . Newspapers; . Email; . Telephone trees; . Community Flood Wardens; . Fax Stream; . Newsletters; . Letter drops; . Social media and/or social networking sites (i.e. twitter and/or facebook). Refer to Appendix C and E for the specific details of how community information and warnings are to be provided.
The release of flood bulletins and information with regard to response activities at the time of a flood event is the responsibility of VICSES, as the Control Agency.
Council has the responsibility to assist VICSES to warn individuals within the community including activation of flood warning systems, where they exist. Responsibility for public information, including media briefings, rest with VICSES as the Control Agency.
Other agencies such as CFA, DEPI and VICPOL may be requested to assist VICSES with the communication of community flood warnings.
In cases where severe flash flooding is predicted, dam failure is likely or flooding necessitating evacuation of communities is predicted, the Incident Controller may consider the use of the Emergency Alert System and Standard Emergency Warning System (SEWS).
Department of Health will coordinate information regarding public health and safety precautions.
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3.5 Media Communication The Incident Controller through the Information Unit established at the ICC will manage Media communication. If the ICC is not established the RDO will manage all media communication.
3.6 Rapid impact assessment A rapid impact assessment can be conducted in accordance with part 3 of the EMMV to assess and record the extent and nature of damage caused by flooding. This information may then be used to provide the basis for further needs assessment and recovery planning by DHS and recovery agencies.
3.7 Preliminary Deployments When flooding is expected to be severe enough to cut access to towns, suburbs and/or communities the Incident Controller will consult with relevant agencies to ensure that resources are in place if required to provide emergency response. These resources might include emergency service personnel, food items and non-food items such as medical supplies, shelter, assembly areas, relief centres etc.
3.8 Response to Flash Flooding Emergency management response to flash flooding should be consistent with the guideline for the emergency management of flash flooding contained within the State Flood Emergency Plan. When conducting pre-event planning for flash floods the following steps should be followed, and in the order as given:
1. Determine if there are barriers to evacuation by considering warning time, safe routes, resources available and etc;
2. If evacuation is possible, then evacuation should be the adopted strategy and it must be supported by a public information capability and a rescue contingency plan;
3. Where it is likely people will become trapped by floodwaters due to limited evacuation options safety advice needs to be provided to people at risk. Advising them not to attempt to flee by entering floodwater, if they become trapped, and that it may be safer to seek the highest point within the building and to telephone 000 if they require rescue. This advice needs to be provided even when evacuation may be possible, due to the likelihood that not all community members will evacuate.
4. For buildings known to be structurally un-suitable an earlier evacuation trigger will need to be established (return to step 1 of this cycle).
5. If an earlier evacuation is not possible then specific preparations must be made to rescue occupants trapped in structurally unsuitable buildings either pre-emptively or as those people call for help.
During a flash flood it will often be difficult, due to the rapid development of flooding, to establish evacuation (relief) centres ahead of actually triggering the evacuation as is normal practice but this is insufficient justification for not adopting evacuation.
Refer to appendix C for response arrangements for flash flood events.
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3.9 Evacuation The decision to recommend or warn people to prepare to evacuate or to evacuate immediately rests with the Incident Controller.
Once the decision is made VICPOL are responsible for the management of the evacuation process where possible. VICSES and other agencies will assist where practical. VICSES is responsible for the development and communication of evacuation warnings.
VICPOL and/or Australian Red Cross may take on the responsibility of registering people affected by a flood emergency including those who have been evacuated.
Refer to section 3.8 of the EMMV and the Evacuation Guidelines for guidance of evacuations for flood emergencies.
Refer to Appendix C of this Plan for detailed evacuation arrangements for Benalla Rural City Council.
3.10 Flood Rescue VICSES may conduct flood rescues. Appropriately trained and equipped VICSES units or other agencies that have appropriate training, equipment and support may carry out rescues. Rescue operations may be undertaken where voluntary evacuation is not possible, has failed or is considered too dangerous for an at-risk person or community. An assessment of available flood rescue resources (if not already done prior to the event) should be undertaken prior to the commencement of Rescue operations.
Rescue is considered a high-risk strategy to both rescuers and persons requiring rescue and should not be regarded as a preferred emergency management strategy. Rescuers should always undertake a dynamic risk assessment before attempting to undertake a flood rescue.
Resources available for use for rescues to be carried out within Benalla Rural City Council can be/are detailed in Appendix C.
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3.11 Aircraft Management Aircraft can be used for a variety of purposes during flood operations including evacuation, resupply, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and emergency travel.
Air support operations will be conducted under the control of the Incident Controller. The Incident Controller may request aircraft support through the State Air Desk located at the State Control Centre will establish priorities.
Suitable airbase facilities are located at:
Sources: Australian AIP and aerodrome chart
3.12 Resupply Communities, neighbourhoods or households can become isolated during floods as a consequence of road closures or damage to roads, bridges and causeways. Under such circumstances, the need may arise to resupply isolated communities/properties with essential items. When predictions/intelligence indicates that communities, neighbourhoods and/or households may become isolated, VICSES will advise businesses and/or households that they should stock up on essential items through a communications strategy coordinated in the Public Information Unit of the ICC.
After the impact, VICSES can support isolated communities through assisting with the transport of essential items to isolated communities and assisting with logistics functions. Resupply operations are to be included as part of the emergency relief arrangements with VICSES working with the relief agencies to service communities that are isolated.
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3.13 Essential Community Infrastructure and Property Protection Essential Community Infrastructure and Property (e.g. residences, businesses, roads, power supplies, communications, etc.) may be affected in the event of flood.
DEPI will work with VICSES to identify key energy assets (i.e. power, gas and liquid fuels) on floodplains. Providers of other essential services may need to be contacted in the event of concerns about service continuity.
The Incident Controller will ensure that owners of Essential Community Infrastructure are kept advised of the flood situation. Essential Community Infrastructure providers must keep the Incident Controller informed of their status and ongoing ability to provide services.
The Incident Controller will determine the priorities related to the use of sandbags, which will be consistent with the strategic control priorities and with VICSES Sandbag Policy.
Property may be protected by:
Sandbagging to minimise entry of water into buildings;
Encouraging business and households to lift or move contents;
Construction of temporary levees in consultation with the ICC, Goulburn Broken Catchment Authority (GBCMA), local government and VICPOL and within appropriate approval frameworks.
Sandbagging collection points will be established at easily accessible community facilities or locations within or near threatened communities as appropriate. The threaten communities will be advised of the location points through a communication strategy / media release.
Refer to Appendix C for further specific detail of essential infrastructure requiring protection.
3.14 Disruption to Services Disruption to services other than essential community infrastructure and property can occur in flood events. Refer to appendix C for specific details of likely disruption to services and proposed arrangements to respond to service disruptions in Benalla Rural City Council.
3.15 Road Closures VicRoads are responsible for designated main roads and highways. Council are responsible for the designated local and regional road networks.
Road closures caused by flooding within the municipality will be managed by Benalla Rural City Council and VicRoads as part of their normal formal functions. This will include necessary observations and the placement of warning signs, road blocks, etc to local and regional roads, bridges, walking and bike trails, etc. Benalla Rural City Council may also liaise with and advise VicRoads as to the need or advisability of erecting warning signs and / or of closing roads and bridges under its jurisdiction.
VicRoads and Benalla Rural City Council will communicate information regarding road closures to the ICC. The Vicroads website will be updated and maintained for current road closures. These can be viewed at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
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3.16 Dam Failure DEPI is the Control Agency for dam safety incidents (e.g. breach, failure or potential breach / failure of a dam), however VICSES is the Control Agency for any flooding that may result.
Within the Benalla Rural City Municipality area there are four significant dams: Lake Nillacootie, Loombah, McCall Say reservoirs and Lake Benalla. Each of these water locations has an agency that manages the structure and produces plans / procedures to address the risk. (Refer to appendix A)
3.17 Waste Water related Public Health Issues and Critical Sewerage Assets Inundation of critical sewerage assets including septic tanks and sewerage pump stations may result in water quality problems within the Municipality. Where this is likely to occur or has occurred the responsible agency for the critical sewerage asset should undertake the following: . Advise VICSES of the security of critical sewerage assets to assist preparedness and response activities in the event of flood; . Maintain or improve the security of critical sewerage assets; . Check and correct where possible the operation of critical sewerage assets in times of flood; . Advise the ICC in the event of inundation of critical sewerage assets.
It is the responsibility of the Benalla Rural City Council Environmental Health Unit to inspect or coordinate assessment of these assets and report to the MERO and the ICC on any water quality issues relating to flooding.
3.18 After Action Review VICSES will coordinate the after action review arrangements of flood operations as soon as practical following an event. All agencies involved in the flood incident should be represented at the after action review.
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Part 4. EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RECOVERY ARRANGEMENTS
4.1 General Arrangements for recovery from a flood incident within Benalla Rural City Council are detailed in the Benalla Rural City Council MEMP.
4.2 Emergency Relief The decision to recommend the opening of an emergency relief centre rests with the Incident Controller. Incident Controllers are responsible for ensuring that relief arrangements have been considered and implemented where required under the State Emergency Relief and Recovery Plan (Part 4 of the EMMV).
The range and type of emergency relief services to be provided in response to a flood event will be dependent upon the size, impact, and scale of the flood. Refer to 4.4 of the EMMV for details of the range of emergency relief services that may be provided.
Details of the relief arrangements are available in the MEMPlan.
4.3 Animal Welfare Animal management guidelines are provided in the MEMP along with the location and contact details for appropriate animal welfare entities.
Matters relating to the welfare of livestock, companion animals and wildlife (including feeding and rescue) are to be referred to DEPI. This includes requests for emergency supply and / or delivery of fodder to stranded livestock or for livestock rescue.
Matters relating to the welfare of wildlife are to be referred to DEPI.
Refer to the Municipal Emergency Animal Welfare Plan (2013)
4.4 Transition from Response to Recovery VICSES as the Control Agency is responsible for ensuring effective transition from response to recovery. This transition will be conducted in accordance with existing arrangements as detailed in Part 3 Section 3.10 of the EMMV.
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APPENDIX A - FLOOD THREATS FOR BENALLA RURAL CITY MUNICIPALITY
General
The catchment area of the Broken River upstream of the Benalla is around 1,450km² (145,000 hectares).
The major tributary of the Broken River upstream of Benalla is Holland Creek which has a catchment area of 540km². Ryans Creek is the major tributary of Holland Creek with a catchment area of 230km².
Moonee Creek outfalls into the Broken River approximately 18km upstream of Benalla and has a catchment area of 190km². Lake Nillahcootie is located on the Broken River some 36km upstream of Benalla. It has a catchment area of 420km².
Ground surface levels at Benalla are around 170m AHD. The highest point in the catchment is Bald Hill located 25km east of Mansfield which has an elevation of 1200m AHD.
Approximately 50 percent of the catchment has been cleared of dense timber. The predominant land use in the cleared portions of the catchment is livestock grazing. The mildly sloping areas between Benalla, Swanpool and Tatong are generally used for agricultural farming purposes.
The upper catchment areas remain covered with medium to dense forest. The valleys are much steeper in the upper catchment. Pine plantations have been established within a number of the State Forest areas.
Benalla itself has approximately 8km² of urban development which is evenly divided between the east and west banks of the Broken River.
There are two road bridge crossings of the Broken River at Benalla (Bridge Street and Ackerly Avenue) and a single railway bridge crossing for the Melbourne – Sydney railway line. The Hume freeway which bypasses Benalla included construction of additional bridge crossings 3km upstream of Benalla.
The Tatong Road Bridge crosses Holland Creek 500 m upstream of the Broken River confluence. A further bridge is located on the Holland Creek at the Hume Freeway.
The floodplain at Benalla is very flat with surface grades typically around 0.1% Benalla FPMS Flood Study Delatite Shire Council July 1995
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Description of Major Waterways and Drains
Waterway or Drain Description The Broken River is a minor river in Victoria, Australia that is a part of the larger Murray-Darling Basin. It rises in the mountains near Mansfield before flowing 225 kilometres into the Goulburn River near Shepparton. Broken River The origin of the name is likely to have come from the fact that the river in times of drought would be reduced to a series of water holes. The Broken River should not be confused with Broken Creek, another nearby watercourse flowing into the Murray River near Barmah. Broken Creek is a creek in northern Victoria, Australia. The creek diverges from Broken River immediately downstream from the former Lake Mokoan Broken Creek (now decommissioned) near Benalla and flows in a north-west direction. The creek passes through the towns of Numurkah and Nathalia before entering the Murray River upstream from Barmah. Lake Mokoan was an artificial lake in Victoria, Australia. It was created in 1971 when water from Broken River and Hollands Creek was diverted into The Winton Winton Swamp roughly 7 km from Benalla. The lake is characterised by Wetlands reserve dozens of dead trees emerging from its depths. Although a popular tourist (Lake Mokoan) destination, the Victorian government decommissioned the lake in 2009 and restored the area to its original wetland state. (Winton Wetlands)
Dam Failure DEPI is the Control Agency for dam safety incidents (e.g. breach, failure or potential breach / failure of a dam). VICSES is however the Control Agency for any flooding that may result.
Within the Benalla Rural City Municipality area there are four significant dams: Lake Nillacootie, Loombah, McCall Say reservoirs and Lake Benalla. Each of these water locations has an agency that manages the structure and produces plans / procedures to address the risk.
Lake Nillacootie: Goulburn – Murray Water Lake Nillahcootie Dam Safety Emergency Plan. Loombah and McCall-Say Reservoirs: North East Region Water Authority Loombah Dam & McCall-say Dam – Dam safety Emergency Plan.
Lake Benalla: Is an artificial lake in Benalla that was created in the 1970s by the Delatite Shire Council.
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APPENDIX B - TYPICAL FLOOD PEAK TRAVEL TIMES
Location From Location To Typical Travel Comments Time Holland Creek @ Kelfeera Benalla 5-6 h. Little to no flood warning in upper reaches. Broken River @ Moorngag Benalla 5-6 h. Little to no flood warning in upper reaches. Broken River @ Benalla Casey’s Weir 9-10 h This occurred in 1993 Broken River @ Casey’s Weir Shepparton 57 h. This occurred in 1993
Source was from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Authority.
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APPENDIX C – BENALLA FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN
Overview of Flooding Consequences During major flood events at Benalla, the flood spills the Broken River across Bridge Street East when flood levels in the Broken River upstream of Bridge Street rise to around 169.9m AHD. These flows can cause major flooding in the area bounded by Bridge Street, the Broken River, the Melbourne – Sydney railway line Witt Street as was the case during the 1993 flood. The majority of flows into this area ultimately discharge through the railway line embankment at the East Main outlet north of Gay Street or are returned to the Broken River upstream of the Melbourne – Sydney railway line. During the 1993 flood floodwaters broke out from Holland Creek upstream of Tatong Road. Floodwaters discharged north back up a stormwater drainage channel before overtopping Kilfeera Road and flowing through the aerodrome, down Samaria Road, Witt Street and eventually into the East Main Drain.
During the 1993 flood floodwaters from the Broken River and Holland Creek inundated most of the area bounded by Tatong Road and Coster Street. Flooding downstream of the railway line was widespread during the 1993 flood. Overflows from the East Main Drain between the railway line and Racecourse Road inundated widespread areas on either side of the drain.
Substantial overbank flows also occurred to the east of the Broken River a short distance downstream of the Melbourne – Sydney railway line. Overflows originated between Roe Street and the sewerage treatment works and flowed northwards parallel to Commercial Road before joining the river in the vicinity of Racecourse Road. Floodwaters from the Broken River also inundated the area bounded by Arundel Street, the railway line, Clarke Street and Bridge Street when flood levels rise sufficiently to overtop Arundel Street north of Bridge Street. Outflows from this area are through the West Main Drain underpass of the Melbourne – Sydney railway line to the west of Clarke Street.
Floodwaters also overtopped Arundel Street north of the railway line in the vicinity of Shadforth Street before re-joining the Broken River north of Boger Street. Floodwaters can also spill down Waller Street into Cecill Street, McGill Street, Egmont Street and ultimately into the West Main Drain.
The anabranch between Garden Street and Arundel Street is subject to flooding in large flood events. This flow path was active in the 1993 flood when substantial flows were observed to follow this route prior to re-joining the Broken River upstream of the showgrounds.
Benalla FPMS Flood Study Delatite Shire Council July 1995
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Benalla’s Population – 9,129 (source: ABS Census 2006) - (GBCM)
Flood Warning Gauge – Broken River at Benalla, Holland Creek at Kelferra
Flood Affected Properties – Note that this may be considerably reduced through appropriate flood response and mitigation works.
Flood Event ARI (1 in X Years) and Gauge Height (m) in Brackets
5 10 20 50 100 200
Properties Flooded Above Floor - - 57 499 1,085 -
Properties Flooded Above Ground ------
Total Number of Flooded Properties ------
Willing and Partners, Benalla Floodplains Management Study, 1995
September 2010 - 2 properties were impacted and 92 people displaced
Permanent Flood Mitigation Works – None
Isolation Risk and Access –
Onset of isolation – Isolation can occur at less than a 10 yr. event.
December 2010 - 3 properties isolated
Major isolation – Major isolation can occur during major floods when the old Hume Highway is flooded on the west side of the Bridge at the rose gardens and to the east through the main street.
General Flood Behaviour –
Duration – Water levels may be high for 2-5 days depending on rainfall
Inundation – Inundation can occur though flooding of –
Broken River Holland Creek Floodplain Features –
Bridge Street Railway Line Witt Street High Risk Areas – Areas that are particularly susceptible to flood impacts are Bridge Street, Witt Street, Gay Street, Kilfeera Road, Samaria Road
Significant Flood Consequences –
First Floor Flooded – Less than 20 year ARI
Critical Infrastructure – Benalla sewerage plant (inundated during September 2010)
Major Roads – Goodwin Street, Arundel Street, Ackerly Avenue, Bridge Street
Community Facilities – Main shopping strip, Art Gallery, Rose Gardens, Shire offices
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Historical Flooding –
Broken River at Benalla
Historical Gauge Height Flow Date ARI (1 in X Years) Gauge Height at Current Site ML/d
October 1993 5.50 5.50 112,000
August 1958 4.70 4.68 68,000
September 2010 4.26
Holland Creek at Kilfeera
Historical Gauge Height Flow Date ARI (1 in X Years) Gauge Height at Current Site ML/d
October 1993 6.07 60,500
September 2010 5.02 38,201
May 1974 4.96 37,300
Flood Impacts and Required Actions The October 1993 flood was unexpected and resulted in major flooding throughout the Benalla and district area, which caused widespread devastation and significant social and economic costs to the community. The majority of the city was affected, including homes, commercial premises, community facilities and roads. The tangible and intangible costs of the 1993 flood are summarised below:
Tangible Costs
Tangible costs are the direct costs in economic terms of damage to property and possessions. In Benalla this included: Business sector – Damage to commercial premises, fittings, equipment, stock, industrial buildings and vehicles; Residential sector – Damage to houses, household fittings, equipment, appliances, personal effects, clothing, furniture, carpets, food, animals and other durables; Infrastructure – Damage to roads, footpaths, kerbs, bridges, drains, water supply, fencing, recreation reserves, car parks and communication networks; Agricultural – Loss of stock, damage to fences and property and loss of crops; and Other – Damage to childcare and community facilities, art gallery, town hall and state and federal government buildings. It is estimated that the total cost to the community of the October 1993 flood, was between $30 - $50 million dollars although some estimates are as high as $200 million.
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Indirect Tangible Costs
The indirect tangible costs arising from the losses above are not so easily quantified and include; Instant and continuing loss of income; Closure of business; Loss of man hours through isolation or health problems; Loss of business, during and immediately and resulting from reduced household expenditure; and Downturn in the local economy through loss of sales, loss of production, loss or wages and reduction in expenditure. Intangible Costs
Most intangible costs are associated with trauma and ill-health, arising from damaged property and loss of employment. Specifically in Benalla this incident: Family trauma and personal trauma; Cancellation of the Benalla show; Cancellation of the Benalla races; Cancellation of other social events; Isolation and shock. While no deaths directly related with the flood were reported (eg. Drowning’s), ill-health arising from the disruption to the water supply and other related health problems was widespread. Tangible costs of the October 1993 flood
Location / Industry Items Estimated Cost Shire of Benalla Five (5) Bridges $250,000 Road damages $1,000,000 Water supply, pipelines and sewerage system $300,000 City of Benalla 1,200 homes water affected and 180 cars written off Loss of commercial stock $4,000,000 Capital damage $2,000,000 Rural 400 kilometres of fencing $30,000,000 Extensive damage to lupin and oat crops Stock losses – 244 cattle, 4,200 sheep, 199 poultry Manufacturing Extensive damage to Benalla Spinners and “Centique” Source was the Benalla Ensign: Flood Special, October 1993 – Final Benalla floodplain Management study October 2002. Note – In Flash Flood areas without gauges, it will only be possible to provide a general description of likely flood impacts. Sandbag supplies for Benalla Municipality are held at the Benalla SES unit, Devenish CFA, Baddaginnie CFA, Benalla Council and SES regional Headquarters. Sandbagging points for Benalla will vary dependent on the size of the flooding occurring around Benalla. North Benalla will be at Denny Street.
South Benalla will be behind the Police station at Martin Place
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Command, Control and Coordination VICSES will assume overall control of the response to flood incidents. Other agencies will be requested to support operations as detailed in this Plan. Control and coordination of a flood incident shall be carried out at the lowest effective level and in accordance with the State Emergency Response Plan (EMMV Part 3). During significant events, VICSES will conduct incident management using multi-agency resources.
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Gauge Location: BENALLA River at Location BROKEN RIVER
River Height Annual Consequence / Impact Action (m) Exceedance Actions may include (but not limited And or Probability to) Evacuation, closure of road, sandbagging, issue warning and who River Flow is responsible (ML/d)
Access is cut to Ackerly Avenue (Stock emergency signing shall be arranged to 2.2m Bridge) both from the north and south. close the road to traffic by council
Minor Flood Level 2.5m floodwater starts to cover roads and paths % AEP ( <2 year 28,500ML/D in the Rose Gardens ARI)
Floodwater flows into YMCA outdoor pool 2.74m and under the Art Gallery
Floodwater enters area below Benalla 3.05m library, surrounding car parks and skate bowl.
Floodwater enters workshop below Art 3.3m Gallery, Floodwater enters Brock Pavilion in Benalla Gardens.
3.38m 1998 flood level
Floodwater enters Benalla Basketball 3.5m Pavilion and CFA sheds.
1996 Flood Level. Floodwater enters the 3.45m Rose Garden Pavilion. Water on roads in Arundle ST STH, Market St and Benson St.
Floodwater surrounds Art Gallery, spreads 3.60m through Rose Gardens, ovals and enters Cricket and Hard-court Tennis Clubrooms.
1996 flood level. Floodwater starts to cover 3.68 Bridge St near the Rose Gardens
Moderate Flood 3.70m Level 34,600ML/D % AEP (6 year ARI)
1975 Sept flood level. Floodwater covers 3.85 m Jaycee Island and starts to enter the Benalla Showgrounds, the UFS Reserve in Ackerly Ave and foreshore area of Lake Benalla near the Civic Centre. 4.06m % AEP (10 year ARI) 45,200ML/D
4.26 m 2010 flood level.
May 1974 approx 60 homes and businesses at risk of overfloor flooding. 4.27m Floodwater starts to enter properties in 52,400ML/D Lowry Place and Lawn Tennis Clubrooms Ackerly Ave.
Floodwater starts to enter properties in 4.30 m Psaltis Parade
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River Height Action (m) Annual Exceedance Actions may include (but not limited And or Consequence / Impact Probability to) Evacuation, closure of road, River Flow sandbagging, issue warning and who (ML/d) is responsible All stormwater openings are to be sealed via the floodgate at the stormwater outlet, lake end of Carrier Street – place Floodwater starts to flow into lower areas of sandbags on sewer manhole covers 4.40 m the Central Business District, Arnott’s subject to flooding. Motors, Crockford and Market Streets. Water may also enter Benalla east via McKellar Street stormwater system and If so, seal opening with sandbags
Floodwater starts to enter properties in Neil 4.48 m Ave and Arundel St
Major Flood Level 4.50m Floodwater starts to enter properties and 7.7% AEP (13 year 60,900ML/D businesses in Bridge St east CBD. ARI)
Floodwater starts to enter properties in 4.65 m Arundel St, Nunn St
Floodwater starts to enter properties and 4.70 m businesses in Carrier St, Walker St and Smythe St
Many parts of the CBD Central Business District likely to experience 4.80 m inundation/overfloor flooding. Benalla Bowls Club starts to flood.
approx 200 homes and businesses at risk of 4.85 m overfloor flooding.
Many homes and businesses in Benalla 4.90 m West and Benalla East are likely to experience overfloor flooding or isolation.
5.25m 2% AEP (50 year
96,500ML/D ARI) 1993 Oct flood level. Many areas experienced floodwater 5.50m 1.3% AEP (74 year travelling through the stormwater drain 112,000ML/D ARI) system and affecting many homes and properties. At this height over 540 homes and businesses at risk of over floor flooding 5.69m 1% AEP (100 year
124,000ML/D ARI) 0.5% AEP (200 year x.xxm ARI) SS Probable Maximum x.xxm Flood (PMF)
Note: flood intelligence records are approximations. This is because no two floods at a location, even if they peak at the same height, will have identical impacts. Flood intelligence cards detail the relationship between flood magnitude and flood consequences. More details about flood intelligence and its use can be found in the Australian Emergency Management Manuals flood series.
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APPENDIX D - FLOOD EVACUATION ARRANGEMENTS
Phase 1 - Decision to Evacuate (To be completed by Sate Run project) The Incident Controller in consultation with VicPol (VicPol Evacuation Manager) may make the decision to evacuate an at-risk community under the following circumstances:
. Properties are likely to become inundated; . Properties are likely to become isolated and occupants are not suitable for isolated conditions; . Public health is at threat as a consequence of flooding and evacuation is considered the most effective risk treatment. This is the role of the Health Commander of the incident to assess and manage. Refer to the State Health Emergency Response Plan (SHERP) for details); . Essential services have been damaged and are not available to a community and evacuation is considered the most effective risk treatment.
The following should be considered when planning for evacuation:
. Anticipated flood consequences and their timing and reliability of predictions; . Size and location of the community to be evacuated; . Likely duration of evacuation; . Forecast weather; . Flood Models; . Predicted timing of flood consequences; . Time required to conduct the evacuation; . Time available to conduct the evacuation; . Evacuation priorities and evacuation planning arrangements; . Access and egress routes available and their potential flood liability; . Current and likely future status of essential infrastructure; . Resources required to conduct the evacuation; . Resources available to conduct the evacuation; . Shelter including Emergency Relief Centres, Assembly Areas etc.; . Vulnerable people and facilities; . Transportation; . Registration . People of CALD background and transient populations; . Safety of emergency service personnel; . Different stages of an evacuation process. The decision to evacuate is to be made in consultation with the MERO, MERC, DHS, Health Commander and other key agencies and expert advice (CMA’s and Flood Intelligence specialists).
The table below details triggers for evacuation, if these heights are predicted or are likely to occur evacuation should be considered BENALLA Flood Emergency Plan – A Sub-Plan of the MEMPlan - 27 -
Sector Gauge Trigger
The table below details time required to evacuate established areas.
Sector Likely time required for evacuation (including resource assumptions)
Phase 2 – Warning or Recommendation Messages to the community will comprise either a warning to affected people that they prepare to evacuate or a recommendation that they evacuate immediately.
Evacuation messages can be disseminated via methods listed within this plan.
Evacuation messages will be developed and issued by the Incident Controller in consultation with the MERO, MERC, DHS and other key agencies and expert advice (GBCMA and Flood Intelligence specialists).
The Incident Controller is responsible for authorising and issuing evacuation messages.
Phase 3 – Withdrawal Withdrawal will be controlled by VICPOL. VICSES will provide advice regarding most appropriate evacuation routes and locations for at-risk communities to evacuate to, etc.
VICSES, CFA, AV and Local Government will provide resources where available to support VICPOL/VICROADS with route control and may assist VICPOL in arranging evacuation transportation.
VICPOL will control security of evacuated areas.
Evacuees will be encouraged to move using their own transport where possible. Transport for those without vehicles or other means will be arranged.
Possible Evacuation Routes to be used:
Sector Evacuation Route Evacuation route closure point and gauge height of closure
Travel East along Bridge street East Benalla East towards Sydney Road Travel West along Bridge street West Benalla West towards the Midland Hwy
Various ovals and sporting fields – while these may be suitable, encumbrances such as power lines and light towers would need to be logged and an appropriate risk assessment completed before being used.
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Special needs groups and vulnerable residents likely to need help may be identified via the Home and Community Care (HACC) database, via Council’s residents at risk register or through community network organisations.
Phase 4 – Shelter Relief Centres and / or assembly areas which cater for peoples basic needs may be established to meet the immediate needs of people affected by flooding. Flood Emergency Relief / Recovery Centres and / or Assembly Areas are listed in the MEMP.
Benalla Rural City Council is responsible for the provision of emergency shelter and for managing emergency relief centres.
The Incident Controller is responsible for activating emergency relief services.
VICPOL in consultation with VICSES will liaise with Local Government and DHS (where regional coordination is required) via the relevant control centre to plan for the opening and operation of relief centres. This can be achieved through the Emergency Management Team (EMT).
Animal Shelter
Animal management guidelines are provided in the MEMP along with the location and contact details for appropriate animal welfare entities.
Matters relating to the welfare of livestock, companion animals and wildlife (including feeding and rescue) are to be referred to Department of Primary Industries. This includes requests for emergency supply and / or delivery of fodder to stranded livestock or for livestock rescue.
Matters relating to the welfare of wildlife are to be referred to DEPI.
Caravans
Caravans maybe evacuated to the following locations:
Sector Caravan evacuation location Comments (include address)
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Phase 5 – Return Return will be consistent with the Strategic Plan for the Return of Community
The Incident Controller in consultation with VICPOL will determine when it is safe for evacuees to return to their properties and will arrange for the notification of the community.
VICPOL will manage the return of evacuated people with the assistance of other agencies as required.
Considerations for deciding whether to evacuate include:
. Current flood situation; . Status of flood mitigation systems; . Size and location of the community; . Access and egress routes available and their status; . Resources required to coordinate the return; . Special needs groups; . Forecast weather; . Transportation particularly for people without access to transport
Disruption to Services Disruption to a range of services can occur in the event of a flood. This may include road closures affecting school bus routes, water treatment plant affecting potable water supplies etc.
Service Impact Trigger Point for Strategy/Temporary action Measures
Essential Community Infrastructure and Property Protection Essential Community Infrastructure and properties (e.g. residences, businesses, roads, power supply etc.) that require protection are:
Facility Impact Trigger Point for action Strategy/Temporary Measures
Benalla Rural City Council will establish a sandbag collection point at possibly two locations either side of the Broken River. The type and size of the flood will determine primary and secondary locations being the vacant land behind the Police station Martin Place, Benalla and or Benalla SES unit on Samaria Road Benalla. BENALLA Flood Emergency Plan – A Sub-Plan of the MEMPlan - 30 -
Rescue The following resources are available within Benalla Rural City Council to assist with rescue operations:
Known high-risk areas/communities (i.e. low-lying islands) where rescues might be required include:
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APPENDIX E - FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS
Flood Warning Flood Warning products and Flood Class Levels can be found on the BoM website. Flood Warning Products include Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Severe Weather Warnings, Flood Watches and Flood Warnings.
Flood Bulletins VICSES distributes flood emergency information to the media through “Flood Bulletins”. Flood Bulletins provide BoM Flood Warning information as well as information regarding possible flood consequences and safety advice, not contained in BoM Flood Warning products. VICSES uses the title Flood bulletin to ensure emphasis is placed upon BoM Flood Warning product titles.
The relevant VICSES Region Headquarters or the established ICC will normally be responsible for drafting, authorizing and issuing issue Flood Bulletins, using the One Source, One Message system.
Flood Bulletins should refer to the warning title within the Bulletin header, for example Flood Bulletin for Major Flood Warning on Yarra River.
Flood Bulletins should follow the following structure
. What is the current flood situation; . What is the predicted flood situation; . What are the likely flood consequences; . What should the community do in response to flood warnings; . Where to seek further information; . Who to call if emergency assistance is required. It is important that the description of the predicted flood situation is consistent with and reflects the relevant BoM Flood Warning.
Flood Bulletins should be focused on specific gauge (or in the absence of gauges, catchment) reference areas, that is the area in which flood consequences specifically relate to the relevant flood gauge.
Flood Bulletins should be prepared and issued after receipt of each Flood Watch and Flood Warning from the BoM, or after Severe Weather or Thunderstorm Warnings indicating potential for severe flash flooding.
To ensure flood bulletins are released in a timely manner, standardised flood bulletins may be drafted based on different scenarios, prior to events occurring. The standardised flood bulletins can then be adapted to the specifics of the event occurring or predicted to occur.
Local Flood Warning System Arrangements The Benalla Rural City Council in cooperation with VICSES and the Bureau of Meteorology may alert the Community (as required) as a result of potential Minor, Moderate or Major Flooding in the Broken River Catchment.
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APPENDIX F – MAPS
BROKEN RIVER CATCHMENT
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BENALLA RURAL CITY COUNCIL – BUS ROUTES
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BENALLA 1% FLOOD EXTENT OR 100 YEAR ARI
From: EMap statistical flood data 1 in 100yr flood extent
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NORTHERN BENALLA RURAL CITY COUNCIL MUNICIPALITY 1% FLOOD EXTENT OR 100 YEAR ARI
From: EMap statistical flood data 1 in 100yr flood extent
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SOUTHERN BENALLA RURAL CITY COUNCIL MUNICIPALITY 1% FLOOD EXTENT OR 100 YEAR ARI
From: EMap statistical flood data 1 in 100yr flood extent
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BENALLA RURAL CITY TOWNSHIP MAP
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APPENDIX G – LOCAL KNOWLEDGE ARRANGEMENTS Local Knowledge Arrangements are yet to be prepared for Benalla Rural City
As control agency for flood in Victoria, VICSES is committed to ensuring the incorporation of local knowledge in decision making before, during and after incidents.
Information from community sources including but not limited to observations, historical information and information about current and possible consequences of an incident may be utilised to help inform the process of incorporating local knowledge into decision making during an incident. [Community observers, Local Information Officers (LIOs) and other agency networks] identified in [this plan/xxx register] will help support this process.
LIOs provide a key communication interface to community observers and other sources of local knowledge.
For the Benalla – Broken River Basin and community observers identified are:
Community Observer Community Observer LIO Contact Key Areas of local Name contact details knowledge expertise
[Enter key areas of local knowledge expertise that is [Enter name of LIO key point of [Enter Name] [Enter contact details] consistent with the Local contact] Knowledge Policy arrangements]
[Enter key areas of local knowledge expertise that is [Enter name of LIO key point of [Enter Name] [Enter contact details] consistent with the Local contact] Knowledge Policy arrangements]
For the Benalla the Local Information Officer identified is:
LIO Name LIO contact details Community Observer contacts
[Enter names of Community observer and [Enter Name] [Enter contact details] other key local knowledge points of contact]
For the Benalla – Broken River Basin and other agency networks identified are:
- [Enter other relevant agency network details including the capability and management of these networks and the contact details if appropriate] Important Notes: These arrangements do not permit community observers and existing agency networks any responsibility for operational decisions and do not permit community observers and existing agency networks to direct operational activity, including the management of flood levees.
Information provided from sources of local knowledge must be processed and validated before it can become intelligence to inform decision making.
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Notes:
[Develop Appendix G as one appendix within the Municipality or develop multiple plans for each location within Appendix G e.g. G1 – Local Knowledge Arrangements for xxx location, G2 – Local Knowledge Arrangements for xxx location etc.]
[It is intended that community observers and LIOs will be contacted and asked to confirm that they are happy for their contact details to be included in this plan. If consent is provided, contact details within this plan may be published to the public. If consent is not provided, contact details will not be published to the public within this plan and will instead will be maintained within a register maintained by the relevant SES regional office].
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