State Emergency Management Committee

Annual Report fforor tthehe rreportingeporting periodperiod eendingnding 3300 JJuneune 22012012 All correspondence regarding this report is to be directed to: Secretary SEMC SEMC Secretariat 20 Southport Street West Leederville WA 6007 Telephone: (08) 6552 5145 Email: [email protected] section 25ofthe section inaccordance Services to with is the Minister submitted forEmergency AnnualThis Report respond byrespond developing and implementing to needed Management Committees, Emergency andLocal andDistrict committees implemented at both aState andnational level through andSEMC, the SEMC sub- Annual Report Committee Management State Emergency hi Executive Offi 1 SEMC SEMC Chair Sanderson Kerry Management WesternEmergency Australia (EMWA) by the Chair,undertaken the Commissioner of Police. to We our thanks would also extend by the the work previous theto work SEMC undertaken acknowledge andparticularly the incoming ChairAs andthe incoming Executive Offi 2012.large scaleemergencies at the endofOctober onthe State’s SEMC will provide areport re-constituted The for preparedness framework. coordinates the response to specifi Coordination Group(SECG),Emergency chaire compliance the rolesofthe SEMC through aclearerandthe State separation between has provid government. re-constitution The Western Australia’s management ar emergency also includes Committee the chiefThe executives ofthe major agencies involved in of July2012 to include other members. Chair independent anindependent andtwo at the end by change andwas re-constituted impacted SEMC was also itself directly comprise the State’s management arrangements. emergency the State under The Management (SEMC) functions Committee outits Emergency carried management inthe the State. way is practiced emergency impacted duringwere the released year ofkey andmadeanumber recommendations that directly on Standing Committee’s Report Bushfi 2011 River November Margaret Two practitioners. Reports; year alsoThe saw agreat dealoflearning the Lua (Nannup)and Milyeannup bushfi management inWesternemergency Australia. 2011/12The andchallenging busy oneforall involved year was anextraordinarily in Foreword EMWA, a portfolio of FESA, provided support to the SEMC. SEMC. tothe support provided FESA, of EMWA, aportfolio As part of the re-constitution of SEMC, EMWA was renamed the SEMC Secretariat in July 2012. inJuly Secretariat SEMC the EMWA renamed SEMC, was of re-constitution the of part As were just afew ofthe emergencies access that of powers required to the emergency Emergency Management 2005 Act Emergency Management 2005 Act Emergency Management 2005 Act AO AO Michelle Reynolds Appreciating into the ofthe Risk: Special the Inquiry Report res, South West landdivision storm andTropical Cyclone Western Australia’s Readiness for the 2011/12 Bushfi c emergencies, whereas the SEMC the policy sets . re in a dynamic environment. inadynamic Change was being and the Community Development andthe Community andJustice for Western Australian management emergency cer new plans policies, andprocedures, which ed agreater and ed onpreparedness focus d by the Commissioner ofPolice. SECG The The Ellensbrook The (Margaret River), Bindoon rangements andarepresentative oflocal . 1 fortheir eff cer respectively, we would like orts during 2011/12.orts re re Season ,

Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 State Emergency Management Committee Contents

Glossary ...... 2 Enabling Legislation ...... 3 SEMC Membership ...... 3 Responsible Minister ...... 3 SEMC Members ...... 4 State Emergency Management Committee ...... 5 SEMC Committee Structure ...... 6 SEMC Sub-committees ...... 6 SEMC Strategic Plan ...... 7 Key Achievements against the SEMC Annual Business Plan 2011/12 ...... 8 Goal 1 – Horizon Scanning ...... 8 State Risk Assessment Framework Developed ...... 8 Spatial Information Capability Developed and Maintained ...... 8 Western Australian Representation on National Committees ...... 8 Goal 2 – Infl uencing Funding Policy for Emergency Management ...... 9 Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA) ...... 9 Natural Disaster Resilience Program ...... 10 Goal 3 – Harness a State Capability...... 10 Review of State Emergency Management Policy 4.1 – Operational Management ...... 10 State Alert / Emergency Alert ...... 10 State Exercise Program ...... 10 Recovery Management Post-Incident Is In Line With Policy ...... 11 Goal 4 – Developing Community Resilience ...... 11 Emergency Broadcasters Memorandum of Understanding ...... 11 Community Emergency Management Arrangements ...... 11 National Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) Funding for Local Government Projects ...... 11 Case Study: City of Bunbury – Ready to Roll: U-4-72 ...... 11 Goal 5 – Infl uencing Land Use Planning and Building Codes ...... 12 Land Use Planning ...... 12 Goal 6 – Reinforcing / Integrating the Comprehensive EM Approach...... 12 Traffi c Management during Emergencies ...... 12 Goal 7 – Policy and Governance ...... 13 Prescription of Hazard and HMA for Heatwave ...... 13 SEMC Emergency Management Framework ...... 14 Changes to the Emergency Management Regulations 2006 ...... 15 Changes to State Emergency Management Policies (SEMP) ...... 15

Changes to State Emergency Management Procedures ...... 15 Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 Changes to State Emergency Management Plan (Westplan) ...... 15 Status of State Emergency Management Plans – Westplans ...... 16 1 Status of State Function Support Plans ...... 17 State Emergency Coordination Group ...... 18 SECG Summary: Ellensbrook (Margaret River) fi re – November 2011 ...... 19 SECG Summary: Milyeannup (Nannup) fi re – November/December 2011 ...... 20 SECG Summary: Bindoon fi re – January 2012 ...... 20 SECG Summary: Tropical Cyclone Lua & Kalumburu Flood – March 2012 ...... 21 SECG Summary: South West Land Division Storm – June 2012 ...... 22 District Emergency Management Committees ...... 23 Compliance ...... 23 Signifi cant Emergencies by Emergency Management District ...... 24 Key achievements against district business plans ...... 24 Local Emergency Management Committees ...... 25 Compliance ...... 25 Ministerial Directives ...... 26

Glossary AWARE All West Australians Reducing Emergencies CT Counter-Terrorism DCP Department for Child Protection DEC Department of Environment and Conservation DEMC District Emergency Management Committee DPC Department of the Premier and Cabinet EM Emergency Management EMA Emergency Management Australia EMWA Emergency Management Western Australia ERM Emergency Risk Management ESS Emergency Services Sub-committee FESA Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia HMA Hazard Management Agency ISG Incident Support Group LEMC Local Emergency Management Committee LG Local Government LSS Lifeline Services Sub-committee NDRRA Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements NCTC National Counter-Terrorism Committee NEMC National Emergency Management Committee

State Emergency Management Committee OASG Operations Area Support Group PIA Post Incident Analysis PING Public Information Group 2 RSS Recovery Services Sub-committee SECG State Emergency Coordination Group SEMC State Emergency Management Committee SMC State Mitigation Committee WESTPLAN Western Australian Emergency Management Plan Enabling Legislation

The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) is established by section 13 (1) of the Emergency Management Act 2005.

SEMC Membership Section 13 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 provides for the membership of the SEMC to consist of: (a) a chairman appointed by the Minister; (b) a deputy chairman appointed by the Minister; (c) an executive offi cer appointed by the Minister; (d) a person who is representative of local government, appointed by the Minister; and (e) such other members as are provided for, and appointed in accordance with, the regulations. The Emergency Management Regulations 2006 provide for the ‘other members’, referred to in section 13(e) of the Emergency Management Act 2005, to consist of: (a) the chief executive offi cer of the department principally assisting the Minister administering the Health Act 1911, or a nominee of that chief executive offi cer, appointed by the Minister; (b) the chief executive offi cer of the department principally assisting the Minister administering the Children and Community Services Act 2004, or a nominee of that chief executive offi cer, appointed by the Minister; and (c) not more than 5 other members appointed by the Minister.

The Minister is to ensure that the chairman has expertise or experience that is relevant to the functions of the SEMC and the State Emergency Coordination Group (SECG) and that each other member has expertise or experience that is relevant to the functions of the SEMC.

The SEMC has the following functions under section 14 of the Emergency Management Act 2005: (a) to advise the Minister on emergency management and the preparedness of the State to combat emergencies; (b) to provide direction, advice and support to public authorities, industry, commerce and the community in order to plan and prepare for an effi cient emergency management capability for the State; (c) to provide a forum for whole of community coordination to ensure the minimisation of the eff ects of emergencies; (d) to provide a forum for the development of community wide information systems to improve communications during emergencies; (e) to develop and coordinate risk management strategies to assess community vulnerability to emergencies; (f) to perform other functions given to the SEMC under this Act; (g) to perform any other function prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section. Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 Responsible Minister

The Hon. Troy Buswell MLA, Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Emergency Services. 3 SEMC Members

The composition of SEMC for 2011–12 was:

Chairman Deputy Chair Executive Offi cer* Dr Karl O’Callaghan APM Mr Wayne Gregson APM Mr John Butcher Commissioner of Police Chief Executive Offi cer Executive Director Fire and Emergency Emergency Management Services Authority of Western Australia Western Australia *Until March 2012. Mr Paul Carr was appointed Executive Offi cer from March 2012.

Mr Duane Bell Mr Geoff Hay Mr Terry Murphy Dr Andrew Robertson Western Australia Police Department of Premier Director General Department of Health SEMC Member and Cabinet Department for SEMC Member (Chair – Emergency SEMC Member Child Protection (Chair – Health Services Services Sub-committee) (Chair – Recovery SEMC Member Sub-committee) Services Sub-committee) State Emergency Management Committee

Mr Keiran McNamara Mr Mark Fitzhardinge Ms Ricky Burges PSM Mr Mike Bergin 4 Director General Water Corporation Chief Executive Offi cer Bureau of Meteorology Department of SEMC Member Western Australian Local SEMC Member Environment and (Chair – Lifelines Services Government Association (Chair – Public Conservation Sub-committee) SEMC Member Information Group) SEMC Member State Emergency Management Committee

SEMC met on three (3) occasions, plus one (1) special meeting to discuss the implications of the A Shared Responsibility: The Report of the Perth Hills Bushfi re February 2011 Review, during the 2011/12 reporting period.

Member Position/Organisation Total Represented number by Proxy/ of Number of meetings meetings attended Dr Karl O’Callaghan SEMC Chairman 4 Mr Wayne Gregson SEMC Deputy Chairman 22 Mr Craig Hynes 13 Mr. John Butcher SEMC Executive Offi cer 3 Mr Paul Carr SEMC Executive Offi cer 14 Mr. Duane Bell Western Australia Police 4 Mr. Mark Fitzhardinge Water Corporation 3 Mr. Michael Bergin Bureau of Meteorology 3 Mr. Geoff Hay Department of the Premier and Cabinet 4 Mr. Terry Murphy Department for Child Protection nil Mr David Harrison 4 Dr Andrew Robertson Department of Health 2 Ms Muriel Leclercq 2 Ms Ricky Burges Western Australian 3 Local Government Association Mr. Keiran McNamara Department of Environment 3 Mr Peter Dans 1 and Conservation Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012

5

2 Mr Wayne Gregson was eligible to attend 2 SEMC Meetings. 3 Mr Craig Hynes was proxy for Ms Jo Harrison-Ward (former Deputy Chair). 4 Mr Paul Carr replaced Mr John Butcher as Executive Offi cer SEMC in March 2012. SEMC Committee Structure

District Emergency Management State Emergency Management Committees Committee Local Emergency Management Committees

SEMC Sub-committees

Emergency Health Lifelines Public Recovery State Services Services Services Information Services Mitigation

SEMC Sub-committees Section 21 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 allows the SEMC to establish such sub-committees as it thinks fi t to advise the SEMC on any aspect of its functions or to assist with any matters relevant to the performance of its functions. Sub-committees may, but need not, consist of or include members of the SEMC. The SEMC has established the following sub-committee: • Emergency Services Sub-committee (ESS) • Health Services Sub-committee (HSS) • Lifelines Services Sub-committee (LSS) • Public Information Group (PING) • Recovery Services Sub-committee (RSS) • State Mitigation Committee (SMC) The role of each sub-committee is described in the table below. Sub-committee Role Emergency Services To develop policies and emergency management protocols to Sub-committee assist hazard management agencies, combat agencies and support organisations to meet their emergency management responsibilities. Health Services To develop policies and health related emergency management Sub-committee protocols that will assist in the management of persons aff ected by a major emergency (i.e., medical, public health or humanitarian emergencies), in accordance with SEMC policies. Recovery Services To oversee the planning and operation of State level recovery Sub-committee arrangements. Lifelines Services To provide a forum for the exchange of information that will assist Sub-committee or improve the operation of lifeline services or functions at times of emergency, for the benefi t of the community.

State Emergency Management Committee Public Information Group To develop and maintain arrangements for the provision of public information and public education related to emergencies in accordance with SEMC policies. 6 State Mitigation To develop and implement comprehensive emergency mitigation Committee policies and strategies for natural hazards and any other issues identifi ed by SEMC; to strengthen partnerships with local governments, and remote and Indigenous communities; to foster emergency risk management activities and implement mitigation measures in order to minimise the impact of natural hazards on people, property and the environment. SEMC Strategic Plan

The SEMC uses a process of annual business planning which includes the sub-committees and District and Local Emergency Management Committees (DEMCs/LEMCs) that are created under the provisions of the Emergency Management Act 2005. At its meeting on 2 September 2008, the SEMC endorsed the SEMC fi ve year Strategic Plan. The SEMC Strategic Plan (2008-2013) articulates seven goals which are outlined below. To assist the SEMC in achieving the outcomes outlined in the fi ve year plan, annual goals and delivery items were developed and documented in an annual business plan. The 2011/12 annual business plan was endorsed by SEMC at its meeting in September 2011. In accordance with State Emergency Management Procedure ADP3 – Annual Business Planning, DEMCs and LEMCs align their business plans to these goals.

Goal 1 – Horizon Scanning Outcome: Emergency managers think strategically and embrace innovation and fl exibility, monitor emergent issues and take preventive and preparatory measures to build disaster resistant and resilient communities.

Goal 2 – Infl uencing Funding Policy for Emergency Management Outcome: Capacity to adequately fund SEMC strategic priorities (with continuity of funding agreed at regular intervals).

Goal 3 – Harness a State Capability Outcome: State, multi-agency approach to development and deployment of capabilities to reduce vulnerability to hazards and ensure capacity to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from emergencies.

Goal 4 – Developing Community Resilience Outcome: Less vulnerable individuals and communities with the capacity to cope with emergencies.

Goal 5 – Infl uencing Land Use Planning and Building Codes Outcome: Improved all hazards mitigation, infrastructure hardening and management of residual risk.

Goal 6 – Reinforcing / Integrating the Comprehensive EM Approach Outcome: Improved understanding and adoption of EM approaches across stakeholders.

Goal 7 – Policy and Governance Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 Outcome: Emergency management outcomes are achieved through the development and

implementation of sound policy and eff ective corporate governance. 7 Key Achievements against the SEMC Annual Business Plan 2011/12

Goal 1 – Horizon Scanning State Risk Assessment Framework Developed Following work already undertaken by SEMC and SMC in 10/11, SEMC has developed the State Emergency Risk Assessment Framework in consultation with key stakeholders. The Western Australian State Emergency Risk Assessment Framework describes the process for assessing the level of risk presented by a range of events in a “potential worst case consequence” scenario. The level of assessed risk to the State determines whether the event should be a prescribed ‘hazard’ under the Emergency Management Act 2005 or identifi ed as a ‘threat’ to the State. SEMC has facilitated the risk assessment of the State’s priority “sudden onset natural hazards” of cyclone and fl ood. This risk assessment was undertaken in accordance with the State Emergency Risk Assessment Framework, the National Emergency Risk Assessment Guide and the international risk management standard ISO: 31000/2009. The risk assessment was undertaken following extensive research to identify, collate and review a wide range of evidence relating to both the likelihood of each event occurring and current resilience measures in place. All evidence collated was reviewed and assessed by a panel of stakeholders from both the Western Australian and national emergency management sector. The State Risk Register is an outcome of the risk assessment process and a draft has been produced to articulate the level of risk exposure to the State of Western Australia from assessed hazards and identify priority treatment programs to mitigate risk and enhance community resilience to emergencies. The State Risk Register, incorporating risks assessed in accordance with the State Emergency Risk Management Framework, will be fi nalised by 30 June 2013. Finally, State Emergency Risk Policy is being developed to facilitate State and local risk assessments. The fi rst step in this Policy development is the drafting of a SEMC Policy on Risk Management. This Policy will encompass the risk management concepts of establishing context; identifying risks; analysing risks; evaluating risks; and treating risks, along with the principles of mitigation. The Policy will be a valuable resource for all emergency management practitioners at State, district and local level, undertaking risk assessments. It is expected that the State Emergency Risk Policy will be published by December 2012. Spatial Information Capability Developed and Maintained Signifi cant work has been undertaken through the SMC around the shared land information platform for emergency management (SLIP-EM). There has been a move towards agencies providing access to operational data through SLIP and/ or the SLIP-EM service. A SLIP-EM Support Agreement is now in place with Western Australia Police and Department of Health is reviewing their requirements for SLIP-EM. Western Australian Representation on National Committees Western Australian delegates attend national committees and working groups to represent the State’s interests on a variety of emergency management issues and as a means of monitoring and infl uencing emerging trends. The following list highlights a number of the national committees State Emergency Management Committee attended by Western Australian delegates: • Standing Council on Police and Emergency Management (SCPEM) 8 • National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) • National Disaster Resilience Working Group • National Flood Risk Advisory Group • National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Stakeholders Group • Community and Disability Service Ministers Advisory Committee – Disaster Recovery Sub-committee (CS DRSC) • Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) Advisory Group • AEMI Jurisdictional Training Management Group • Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee • Triple Zero Working Group • Australian Tsunami Working Group • National Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Working Group • National Spatial and Information Management Group • Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System Advisory Group • Australian Health Protection Committee • Health All Hazards Working Group • National Health Emergency Management Sub-committee • National Mental Health Disaster Response Committee and Taskforce • HIC/DoHA Telehealth Advisory Group • Communicable Diseases Network of Australia • Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) • National Counter Terrorism Committee (NCTC)

Goal 2 – Infl uencing Funding Policy for Emergency Management Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA) FESA manages the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA) which provide fi nancial assistance to communities whose social, fi nancial and economic wellbeing have been signifi cantly aff ected by an eligible natural disaster event. An event is not deemed eligible5 unless expenditure on eligible measures exceeds $240,000. During 2011/12, eight natural disaster events were deemed eligible under WANDRRA: • Severe Thunderstorms and associated fl ooding – South West (3 November 2011) • Bushfi re Shire of Augusta–Margaret River (23 November 2011) • Severe Thunderstorms and associated fl ooding – Eastern Central Wheatbelt and North Eastern and Western Great Southern (6 & 12 December 2011) • Severe Thunderstorms and associated fl ooding – South West (30 & 31 December 2011) • Tropical Cyclone Heidi and associated fl ooding– Pilbara, Western Kimberley, inland Gascoyne and Goldfi eld regions (11 January 2012) • Tropical Cyclone Lua and associated fl ooding – East Pilbara (17 March 2012) • Trough and Associated Flooding – South West (31 May 2012) • Tornado and Storm Events – most of the south of the State (7–13 June 2012). Statistics: • The last event in the fi nancial year (tornado and storm events) aff ected 119 local government

authorities (LGAs). Signifi cantly, over the past two fi nancial years, all 137 LGA’s in the State were Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 aff ected by at least one natural disaster event. • In this year, 83% of LGA’s were aff ected by up to 2 events and 17% by 3 or more. 9 • A total of $132,249,270 has been expended on all current WANDRRA events in 2011/12, which means for the fi rst time that State thresholds have been met and that the State will be making a claim to the Commonwealth Government in the region of $50 million. Claims for events that occurred in 2011/12 can be made until 30 June 2014.

5 Refer www.FESA.wa.gov.au for further information on the criteria for WANDRRA eligibility. • WANDRRA expenditure for 2011/12 by hazard category is as follows: Hazard Total ($) Bushfi re 4,880,806 Cyclone including associated fl ooding 6,416,912 Flood (Warmun – Recovery) 104,511,7506 Storm 16,439,802 Total 132,249,270

Natural Disaster Resilience Program The Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) is part of an ongoing, single funding program from the Australian Government administered by FESA. The program aims to develop safer, more sustainable communities that are better able to withstand the eff ects of natural disasters, reduce the risks of such events and reduce the damage and losses they cause. The NDRP replaces the National Disaster Mitigation Program, Bushfi re Mitigation Program and the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund. The available fund for 2011/12 was $3.15 million which also included an amount of $66,867 as a result of under-spending in a Natural Disaster Mitigation Program project. In 2011/12, there were a total of 41 submissions and from these 31 were approved for funding by the State Assessment Panel, with the agreed projects totalling $3,145,160. These were endorsed by SEMC on 19 January 2012 and approved by the Minister for Emergency Services on 14 February 2012.

Goal 3 – Harness a State Capability Review of State Emergency Management Policy 4.1 – Operational Management A review of SEMP 4.1 – Operational Management was carried out to address a recommendation of the A Shared Responsibility: The Report of the Perth Hills Bushfi re February 2011 Review. The State policy was amended to address the: • role of the Incident Controller in making an incident level declaration; • process for reviewing the incident level of an incident; • role of an Operations Area Manager in escalating an incident level declaration; and • direction that all SECG activations will now convene at the State Coordination Centre, in West Leederville. The review also necessitated the development of a new Operational Procedure (OP-23) – Incident Level Declaration. State Alert/Emergency Alert A review of the State’s community warning system – ‘State Alert’ – was conducted by FESA to identify opportunities for enhancing the system’s functionality and interoperability with the National community warning system –‘Emergency Alert’. Following a detailed analysis of both systems and

State Emergency Management Committee consultation with key stakeholders, SEMC endorsed a recommendation for Western Australia to transition to the National emergency warning system ‘Emergency Alert’ by 30 November 2012.

10 State Exercise Program Western Australia’s emergency management arrangements require all State level emergency management plans (Hazard Westplans) to be tested at least annually. A State exercise schedule is maintained by the Emergency Services Subcommittee. In 2011/12 a total of 41 exercises were undertaken at local, district and State levels and covering 17 of the 26 Hazard Westplans. The

6 Although the Warmun fl ood incident was reported in 2010/11, signifi cant recovery costs ($79,057,289) were incurred in 2011/12. SEMC Secretariat is working closely with hazard management agencies to ensure compliance in 2012/13. Recovery Management Post-Incident Is In Line With Policy As a result of the number of signifi cant incidents requiring extensive community recovery a full review of the State’s recovery arrangements was undertaken in 2011. The review produced 19 recommendations to enhance State recovery arrangements for consideration by SEMC. Following endorsement of these recommendations extensive progress has been made in revising the relevant SEMC policy, plans and procedures with completion scheduled in 2013. A review of SEMC Policy 4.4 State Recovery Coordination has been undertaken and a draft Policy has been developed for consultation.

Goal 4 – Developing Community Resilience Emergency Broadcasters Memorandum of Understanding Signifi cant work has been undertaken by the Public Information Group (PING) on the development of a set of criteria for the assessment of commercial and community based broadcasters across Western Australia to be designated as Emergency Broadcasters. The implementation of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with those Broadcasters will continue into 2012/13. Quarterly reviews are conducted by PING members into signifi cant events with emphasis on identifying gaps in public information dissemination. Community Emergency Management Arrangements Community emergency management arrangements were a priority area for SEMC during the year, with Community Emergency Management Offi cers (CEMOs) actively engaged at a local level to assist local governments in the development of local arrangements. In 2011/12, a total of 18 Local Emergency Management Arrangements were noted by the SEMC. Consequently, 134 of the State’s 137 local governments have now developed Local Emergency Management Arrangements. The CEMOs continue to work closely with those few local governments who are still in the process of developing Local Emergency Management Arrangements for their district. National Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) Funding for Local Government Projects As mentioned previously, the intent of the Program is to build community resilience to natural disasters through measures that reduce disaster risk, build emergency management capability or support emergency service volunteers. There were 31 projects totalling some $3.15 million in 2011/12. One of these projects, City of Bunbury’s Ready to Roll: U-4-72, is described in the following Case Study.

Case Study: City of Bunbury – Ready to Roll: U-4-72 In 2004, the City of Bunbury secured a funding grant to undertake an extensive, community- based emergency risk management (ERM) project that involved a broad range of agencies, groups and individuals from the Bunbury community. Bunbury’s Emergency Risk Management (ERM) process won national acclaim when it converted good theory to practice (A/NZ Standard/ 4360), and returned an extremely usable product at a local community level that genuinely worked to reduce risks to the Bunbury community. Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 Through the U-4-72 Project, the City builds understanding of and responsibility for

emergency management within Bunbury’s population so that all people in the diverse 11 community can confi dently participate in emergency management planning and decision- making processes. U-4-72 aims to “switch people on” to the reality that they will have to rely on themselves for up to 72 hours (i.e. 3 days) in the event of a major disaster or emergency. It aims to encourage people to take responsibility for their own preparedness and take real steps to be ready, regardless of the hazard. It seeks to engage local people to create a groundswell of local action that builds the capacity of people to act independently. It also aims to create a culture in the local community that makes emergency preparedness the norm. The City hopes to encourage people to become “switched on” to preparedness. Most signifi cantly, the City maintains it makes the community more resilient to adverse events because they are more connected and prepared physically, socially and psychologically. U-4-72 will increase the resilience of people so that they have the ability to rebound from a disaster with a new focus on recovery.

Goal 5 – Infl uencing Land Use Planning and Building Codes Land Use Planning The State Mitigation Commitee (SMC) engaged the Department of Planning to provide Western Australian representation and input to the National Land Use Planning and Building Codes Task Force, which is a national project under the Risk Assessment, Measurement and Mitigation Sub- committee (RAMMS). The Department of Planning provided jurisdictional input to the national stock-take and gap analysis in relation to planning, development and building matters.

Goal 6 – Reinforcing / Integrating the Comprehensive EM Approach Traffi c Management During Emergencies The State Policy Group, established by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to address a number of the Recommendations from A Shared Responsibility: The Report of the Perth Hills Bushfi re February 2011 Review, in turn tasked FESA (Emergency Management Western Australia—the portfolio of FESA that supported SEMC)—with carriage of a number of recommendations. This included Recommendation 32, which states: Recommendation 32 The Western Australian Police and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority jointly examine the Traffi c Management System developed in response to the 2009 Victorian bushfi res and seek its adaptation to use in WA with additional attention to the access and egress by bona fi de residents to areas that are evacuated. To address this recommendation, a multi-agency Traffi c Management Working Group (TMWG) was established to examine the recommendation in the context of the State’s emergency management arrangements. The TMWG comprised representatives from: • EMWA (on behalf of SEMC) • Western Australia Police • Department of the Premier and Cabinet • Department for Child Protection • Department of Environment and Conservation • Main Roads State Emergency Management Committee • Department of Health • St John Ambulance Australia 12 • Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia • Western Australian Local Government Association. The working group sought to determine whether the Western Australian arrangements were defi cient in any area and if defi ciencies were identifi ed, whether adapting the Victorian guidelines for use in Western Australia would mitigate those defi ciencies. While the working group agreed that the Western Australian arrangements were largely consistent with current best practice, the group identifi ed scope to enhance the ‘Restricted Access Permit’ system to better address the issue of residents’ access for the purpose of actively defending their properties from bushfi re. The TMWG recommended that the Emergency Services Subcommittee, in consultation with the Interagency Bushfi re Management Committee, establish a project for developing appropriate operational procedures for the implementation of response and recovery phase ‘Restricted Access Permits’ for bushfi re and, subsequently, across all hazards.

Goal 7 – Policy and Governance EMWA performs the executive function on behalf of the SEMC. The SEMC Annual Business Plan allocates a number of policy and governance tasks to EMWA. Prescription of Hazard and HMA for Heatwave At the SEMC meeting in December 2010, EMWA and the Department of Health were directed to research the risk of an extreme heat event on Western Australia and provide recommendations as to whether it should be prescribed as a hazard under the Emergency Management Act 2005. EMWA and the Department of Health undertook a range of national research in relation to the event and found that there is a range of defi nitions utilised across jurisdictions and varying approaches taken to mitigate identifi ed risk. A review of the defi nitions utilised in other jurisdictions was found to not be suitable in the Western Australian context, given the signifi cant variation in climatic conditions across the State and community resilience due to geographic location. The Bureau of Meteorology developed a standard national defi nition for this event, which the Department of Health and SEMC applied to the draft State Emergency Risk Assessment Framework to determine the level of risk to the State. Due to the limited availability of data in relation to known heat events (due to the new defi nition used) the risk assessment was conducted on the Metropolitan/ Peel Emergency Management District where available data had a higher confi dence level. As a result of risk assessment the level of risk presented to both the State and the Metropolitan/ Peel Emergency Management District it was recommended that: 1. The defi nition of ‘heatwave’ in the Western Australian context be formalised by the Bureau of Meteorology. 2. The event of ‘heatwave’ be defi ned as a ‘hazard’ within the State Risk Register. 3. The event of ‘heatwave’ be prescribed as a ‘hazard’ within the Emergency Management Regulations 2006. 4. The Department of Health should be prescribed as the ‘Hazard Management Agency’ for the ‘response’ aspect of the hazard of ‘heatwave’ within the Emergency Management Regulations 2006. 5. The State Emergency Management Committee direct the Department of Health to be responsible for the coordination of the development and review of a State Emergency Management Plan (Westplan) for the hazard of ‘heatwave’.

6. Following the development of a clear defi nition for the hazard of ‘heatwave’, EMWA facilitate a Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 review of risk assessment on a State wide basis. Of these six recommendations, 37, 4 and 5 have been implemented, with the balance being progressed. 13 The priority resilience programs identifi ed in the risk assessment to be developed by a heatwave advisory group, chaired by the Department of Health and including FESA and the Bureau of Meteorology amongst other agencies.

7 Note: Ultimately, it proved unnecessary to specifi cally prescribe the hazard of heatwave as a separate hazard, as advice indicated it could be captured under “other natural event” (section 3, Emergency Management Act 2005 – defi nition of “hazard”(a)). SEMC Emergency Management Framework

The State Emergency Management Framework was established to assist with the defi ning of how and at what level, diff erent types of information should be documented.

Emergency Management Act 2005

Emergency Management Regulations 2006

State Emergency Management Policies

State Emergency Management Policies are those developed under section 17 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 and should be developed when there is a need to prescribe formal instruction or processes or as a result of governing legislation or a SEMC resolution. Policy should clearly defi ne the required outcome that is to be achieved and explain the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. Policies may be supported by the following documents which form part of the SEMC framework.

State Emergency Management Plans

State Emergency Management Plans are those prepared under section 18 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 to outline State arrangements for the emergency management of hazards and support functions.

State Emergency Management Procedures

State Emergency Management Procedures should be utilised when a process needs to be explained through a step by step process, allowing emergency management agencies and personnel to complete tasks in compliance with State Emergency Management Policy.

State Emergency Management Information Sheets

State Emergency Management Information Sheets provide additional information that may not be described within legislation, policy, procedures or guidelines. Information Sheets may depict Frequently Asked Questions, (FAQ), a summary of relevant contact details or any other information considered necessary to distribute. State Emergency Management Committee

14 Changes to the Emergency Management Regulations 2006 There were two amendments to the Regulations during the 2011/12 reporting period: • State Health Coordinator was prescribed as the HMA for response to the hazard of heatwave • Brookfi eld Rail (name change).

Changes to State Emergency Management Policies (SEMP) The following Policies were reviewed and revised: • SEMP 4.3 - Post Operation Reports • SEMP 4.1 - Operational Management • SEMP 2.6 - Annual Reporting.

Changes to State Emergency Management Procedures The following procedure was developed: • Operational Procedure – OP23 – Incident Level Declaration.

Changes to State Emergency Management Plan (Westplan) The following State Emergency Management Plan (Westplan) was developed: • Westplan Liquid Fuel Supply Disruption. Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012

15 Status of State Emergency Management Plans – Westplans State Emergency Management Plans in Western Australia are known as Westplans and provide strategic, State-level arrangements for managing the particular hazards to which they apply. The period to review Westplans has been extended by SEMC from two years to fi ve years, or as required, as a result of a number of factors including the extensive consultation that is required to ensure the plans are current and meet community and emergency service agency needs. The status of Hazard Westplans at the end of the 2011/12 reporting period is as follows:8 Westplan Hazard Hazard Management Agency Due for review by Westplan Animal & Animal or Plant Department of Agriculture and Food Mar 2013 Plant Biosecurity – Pest or Disease Westplan Air Crash Air Crash Western Australia Police Dec 2014 Westplan Bushfi re Fire (Bushfi re) Fire and Emergency Services Jun 2012 Authority/Department of Environment (in progress) and Conservation Westplan Brookfi eld Brookfi eld Rail Brookfi eld Rail Dec 2013 Rail Emergencies Emergencies Westplan Chemical, Chemical, Biological, Fire and Emergency Services Authority Jun 2013 Biological, Radiological and Radiological and Nuclear Nuclear (CBRN) Westplan Collapse Collapse of a structure Fire and Emergency Services Authority Jun 2013 or landform Westplan Cyclone Cyclone Fire and Emergency Services Authority Dec 2012 Westplan Dambreak Dambreak Water Corporation Sep 2009 Westplan Dambreak is in the process of being revoked. Westplan Earthquake Earthquake Fire and Emergency Services Authority May 2016 Westplan Flood Flood Fire and Emergency Services Authority Sep 2015 Westplan Gas Supply Natural gas supply Offi ce of Energy Jun 2016 Disruption disruption Westplan HAZMAT Hazardous Materials Fire and Emergency Services Authority Dec 2015 (including Radioactive Materials) Westplan Human Human Epidemic Department of Health Oct 2013 Epidemic Westplan LANDSAR Land Search and Rescue Western Australia Police Dec 2012

State Emergency Management Committee Westplan Liquid Fuel Liquid fuel supply Public Utilities Offi ce Sep 2016 Disruption* disruption

16 Westplan Marine Oil Marine oil pollution Department of Transport Jun 2015 Pollution Westplan Marine Marine Transport Department of Transport Jun 2016 Transport Emergency

8 Note: Hazards in this chart are referenced using common terminology. Legal titles of prescribed hazards can be found in section 3 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 and regulation 15 of the Emergency Management Regulations 2006. Westplan Hazard Hazard Management Agency Due for review by Westplan Marine Marine Search and Western Australia Police Mar 2013 Search and Rescue Rescue Westplan Nuclear Nuclear Powered Western Australia Police Dec 2015 Powered Warships Warships Westplan Rail Crash PTA Rail Emergencies Public Transport Authority Dec 2014 (PTA) Westplan Road Crash Road Crash Western Australia Police Jun 2013 Westplan SPRED Space re-entry debris Western Australia Police Mar 2015 Westplan Storm Severe Storm Fire and Emergency Services Authority Sep 2009 (under review) Westplan Tsunami Tsunami Fire and Emergency Services Authority Sep 2015 Westplan Terrorist Act Terrorist Act WA Police Sep 2014 Westplan Urban Fire Fire (Urban) Fire and Emergency Services Authority Jan 2005 (Westplan proposed by Hazard Management Agency to be withdrawn) *Indicates new Westplan.

Status of State Function Support Plans Support Westplan Support Function Responsible Agency Due for review by Westplan Health Health Health (Department of) Sep 2014 Westplan Public Public Information SEMC Public Information Group Jul 2017 Information Westplan Recovery Recovery Department of the Premier & Cabinet Apr 2013 Coordination Westplan Registration Registration & Department for Child Protection Jan 2015 & Reunifi cation Reunifi cation Westplan Reception Reception Department for Child Protection Dec 2014 Westplan Resupply Re-supply Fire and Emergency Services Nov 2004 Authority (Westplan proposed to be withdrawn) Westplan Telecommunications Fire and Emergency Services Mar 2010 Telecommunications Authority (Reviewed Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 Westplan currently being 17 drafted) Westplan Welfare Welfare Department for Child Protection Mar 2014 State Emergency Coordination Group

Under the provisions of section 26 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, a State Emergency Coordination Group (SECG) may be established if an emergency occurs or is imminent at the request of the relevant HMA or on the initiative of the State Emergency Coordinator in consultation with the relevant HMA. The functions of the SECG are to: • ensure the provision of coordinated emergency management by public authorities and other persons; • provide advice and direction to public authorities and other persons to facilitate eff ective emergency management; and • liaise between the emergency management agencies and the Minister. During the year, an SECG was activated for fi ve emergencies.

1. Ellensbrook (Margaret River) Fire Controlling Agency: Department of Environment and Conservation. Six meetings: 23rd, 24th, 25th and 28th November 2011 held at State Coordination Centre, West Leederville.

2. Milyeannup (Nannup) Fire Controlling Agency: Department of Environment and Conservation. Two meetings: 1st and 2nd December 2011 held at State Emergency Operations Centre, Maylands.

3. Bindoon Fire Controlling Agency: Fire and Emergency Services Authority. One meeting: 29th January 2012 held at State Coordination Centre, West Leederville.

4. Tropical Cyclone Lua & Kalumburu Flood Controlling Agency: Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Two meetings: 17th and 18th March 2012 held at State Emergency Operations Centre, Maylands.

5. South West Land Division Storm Controlling Agency: Fire and Emergency Services Authority. One meeting: 11th June 2012 held at State Emergency Operations Centre, Maylands. State Emergency Management Committee

18 SECG Summary: Ellensbrook (Margaret River) Fire – November 2011 On the morning of the 23 November 2011, two fi res in the same region of Western Australia escaped containment lines of prescribed burns conducted by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). The fi rst of these fi res was at Ellensbrook (15 km North West of Margaret River) and the second at Gnarabup (7 km South West of Margaret River). From the time of the escape to the eventual suppression, the fi res destroyed 45 properties, damaged critical infrastructure, and burnt over 2000 hectares. Fortunately, no lives were lost.

Ellensbrook (Margaret River) fi re – November 2011. Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012

19 SECG Summary: Milyeannup (Nannup) Fire – November/December 2011 On 23 November 2011, the Milyeannup-Nannup fi re escaped from a prescribed burn conducted by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). After the fi re’s escape, it burned over 50,000 hectares before being extinguished on 5 December 2011. This is understood to be one of the largest bushfi res in the south-west region of Western Australia in over 50 years. While no houses were lost, one person was injured in an indirect incident, and a number of properties sustained damage.

SECG Summary: Bindoon Fire – January 2012

Bindoon fi re – January 2012. State Emergency Management Committee The Bindoon fi re was declared a level 3 bushfi re at 15:45hrs on 29 January 2012. The fi re burnt more than 1200 hectares and broke into two head fi res at the Bindoon Moora Road. 20 The fi re behaviour was erratic and fi re fi ghters were unable to make signifi cant impact on fi re suppression. Machines were deployed to track the boundaries and cut fi re breaks. State Alert was used to alert the community and the community of Wannamal was evacuated. Rail infrastructure was threatened and power was shut down on the Bindoon/Moora Road. SECG Summary: Tropical Cyclone Lua & Kalumburu Flood – March 2012 Forming well off the Pilbara coast on 13th March 2012, Tropical Cyclone (TC) Lua gradually intensifi ed and was potentially going to cross the coast as a Category 5 system. That scenario did not eventuate and, after tracking in diff erent directions, TC Lua crossed near Pardoo Roadhouse 150 kilometres east of Port Hedland on 17th March as a Category 4 cyclone. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that TC Lua was the strongest cyclone to hit Australia in 2012. Communities in both the Pilbara and Kimberley were spared, with TC Lua narrowly missing heavily populated areas when it crossed the coast. More than 320 people relocated to welfare centres opened by the Department for Child Protection at Port Hedland, Nullagine, Newman, Marble Bar and Jigalong. As a precautionary measure, oil and gas workers from off shore platforms were evacuated and Pilbara mining operations shut down with the approach of TC Lua, the second tropical cyclone to threaten the region in two months. One of the region’s major iron ore export hubs, the Port Hedland Port was also closed, while around 900 airline passengers had their travel plans interrupted when fl ights were cancelled to Port Hedland, Broome and Karratha. TC Lua maintained cyclone intensity for a signifi cant distance inland, triggering blue alerts for the communities of Wiluna and Meekatharra, before fi nally being downgraded to a tropical low just north of Wiluna at 11am on 18 March. There were also a number of fl ood warnings across the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne regions because of heavy rainfall associated with the cyclone. Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012

21 SECG Summary: South West Land Division Storm – June 2012 Severe storms hit the Perth metropolitan area and southern regions of the State from 10th through to 12th June 2012. The aff ected area stretched from Kalbarri to Kalgoorlie in the east, and Israelite Bay on the south coast. The Perth coastal suburbs of Cockburn, Rockingham and Mandurah, as well as the South West and in particular Bunbury, bore the brunt of the storms. On 10th June 2012, a signifi cant storm surge was reported along the south west coast, as sea levels rose over a metre above the normal high tide mark in Geographe Bay. Widespread rain also fell throughout western parts of the State, with heavy falls in the southwest Gascoyne and northern Central West districts. The Swan River at Perth near Barrack Street recorded a high tide peak of 1.73 metres, and the river foreshore and Riverside Drive were fl ooded. Local South West crews attended more than 400 requests for assistance, while nearby Australind, Harvey, Waroona, Pinjarra and Collie State Emergency Services (SES) units collectively responded to 140 additional incidents.

South West Land division storm – June 2012. State Emergency Management Committee

22 District Emergency Management Committees

The State is divided into fourteen (14) emergency management districts comprised of specifi ed local government districts by Emergency Management Districts Order 2006 (Western Australian Government Gazette 4 November 2008, No. 187). The following is a list of the State’s District Emergency Management Committees (DEMCs): • Central Metropolitan • East Metropolitan • Goldfi elds–Esperance • Great Southern • Kimberley • Midwest–Gascoyne • North West Metropolitan • Peel • Pilbara • South East Metropolitan • South Metropolitan • South West • West Metropolitan • Wheatbelt. The Emergency Management Act 2005, section 32, describes the function of a DEMC as: • to assist in the establishment and maintenance of eff ective emergency management arrangements for the district for which it is constituted; and • to undertake other such functions as are prescribed in the regulations.

Compliance Pursuant to section 33 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, the DEMCs are required to prepare and submit to the SEMC, an annual report on their activities during the fi nancial year. In the 2011/12 reporting year, all DEMCs prepared and submitted an annual report except for the Pilbara DEMC. A Community Emergency Management Offi cer is working with the Pilbara DEMC to ensure future compliance with annual reporting requirements. Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012

23 Signifi cant9 Emergencies by Emergency Management District EM District Description of operations area Dates active Description of emergency Kimberley Kimberley region 12/3/12 – 18/3/12 Tropical Cyclone Lua Pilbara Pilbara coast 26/1/12 – 29/1/12 Tropical Cyclone Iggy South East Metro Metropolitan area 10/06/12 Metropolitan storms South Metro Metropolitan area 10/6/12 – 13/6/12 Metropolitan storms Northwest Metro Koondoola 28/3/12 Koondoola bushfi re West Metro Nil Central Metro Dianella/Morley 10/6/12 – 12/6/12 Tornado Metropolitan area 10/6/12 – 12/6/12 Metropolitan storms East Metro Belmont 10/6/12 – 12/6/12 Metropolitan storms South West Bunbury 23/11/11 – 25/11/11 Blackwood complex fi res Margaret River 23/11/11 – 25/11/11 Margaret River fi res Bunbury 10/6/12 – 11/6/12 South West storms Peel Nil Great Southern Nil Goldfi elds/Esperance Nil Midwest Gascoyne Carnarvon, Upper Gascoyne, January 2012 and Major fi res in Carnarvon. Shark Bay, Murchison and June 2012 Cyclones Heidi and Iggy Northampton. and major fl ooding in the Gascoyne, Murchison and Greenough River systems. Wheatbelt Nil

Key achievements against district business plans DEMC business plans are developed to align with the seven goals set by the SEMC, with direction provided on the required outcomes against these goals. Each District is required to develop and submit strategies to achieve the outcomes required by SEMC along with any additional goals, outcomes and strategies specifi c to its district or local area for the reporting period. State Emergency Management Committee

24

9 Emergencies requiring Operational Area Support Group (OASG) Activation. Local Emergency Management Committees

Pursuant to section 38 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, a local government is to establish one or more Local Emergency Management Committees for the local government’s district. There are currently 137 local government districts and in the 2011/12 reporting period 137 local governments reported as either having established a LEMC or as being represented on a combined LEMC.

04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 Percentage of local governments 86.9% 88.3% 88.1% 90.6% 72% 91% 90.7% 100% and local communities reporting as having established LEMC or part of a combined LEMC

The functions of a Local Emergency Management Committee are, in relation to its district or the area for which it is established: (a) to advise and assist the local government in ensuring that local emergency management arrangements are established for its district; (b) to liaise with public authorities and other persons in the development, review and testing of local emergency management arrangements; and (c) to carry out other emergency management activities as directed by the SEMC or prescribed by the regulations. (Section 39 – Emergency Management Act 2005).

Compliance Pursuant to section 40 of the Emergency Management Act 2005, after the end of each fi nancial year each LEMC is to prepare and submit to the DEMC for the district an annual report on activities undertaken by it during the fi nancial year. In the 2011/12 reporting period, one hundred and fi fteen (115) LEMCs submitted Annual Reports for inclusion in the SEMC Annual Report. Of those, sixty nine (69) reported as having endorsed Local Emergency Management and Recovery Arrangements for the local governments they represent. In the 2011/12 reporting period, the following LEMCs prepared and submitted an annual report: • Albany • Carnamah–Coorow • Armadale • Carnarvon • Ashburton Inland • Chapman Valley • Ashburton Pannawonica • Cockburn • Augusta–Margaret River • Collie • Bassendean • Coolgardie • Bayswater • Corrigin • Belmont/Town of Victoria Park • Cranbrook • Beverley • Cue • Boddington • Cunderdin • Boyup Brook • Dandaragan • Bridgetown–Greenbushes • Dardanup Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012 • Brookton • Denmark • Broome • Derby • Broomehill Tambellup • Donnybrook/Balingup 25 • Bruce Rock • Dowerin • Bunbury • Dumbleyung • Busselton–Dunsborough • Dundas • Canning/South Perth • East Kimberley (Kununurra) • Capel • Esperance • Exmouth • Nannup • Fitzroy Crossing • Narembeen • Fremantle • Narrogin–Cuballing–Wickepin • Geraldton–Greenough–Abrolhos Islands • Newman • Gingin and Chittering • Ngaanyatjarraku • Gnowangerup • Northam • Goomalling • Northampton • Gosnells • Onslow Coastal • Halls Creek • Perth and • Harvey Kings Park & Botanic Gardens Authority • Irwin • Pingelly-Wandering • Jerramungup • Plantagenet • Kalamunda • Port Hedland • Kalbarri • Quairading • Kalgoorlie–Boulder • Ravensthorpe • Katanning • Rockingham • Kellerberrin–Tammin • Roebourne • Kondinin • Rottnest Island • Koorda • Sandstone • Kulin • Shark Bay • Kwinana • Stirling • Lake Grace • Swan • Laverton • Toodyay • Leinster • Trayning • Leonora • Upper Gascoyne • Mandurah • Victoria Plains • Manjimup • Wagin • Meekatharra • Wanneroo–Joondalup • Melville • Waroona • Merredin • West Arthur • Mingenew–Morawa–Perenjori–Three Springs • Western Central • Moora • Williams • Mount Magnet • Wiluna • Mount Marshall • Wongan–Ballidu • Mukinbudin • Wyndham • Mundaring • Yalgoo • Murchison • Yilgarn & Westonia • Murray • York State Emergency Management Committee

Ministerial Directives 26 There was one Ministerial Directive to SEMC during the year. On 30 April 2012, the Minister directed SEMC to undertake the formal oversight and validation of the Department of Environment and Conservation‘s (DEC) response to the Margaret River Bushfi re Inquiry recommendations. LEMC and Western Australian Emergency Management Districts Annual Report for the reporting period ending 30 June 2012

27