Eastern Metro Region Regional Emergency Management Plan Eastern Metro Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee
Acknowledgement of Country The Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands that make up Eastern Metro Region. The committee also acknowledges and pays respect to the Elders, past and present and is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to achieve a shared vision of safer and more resilient communities.
This plan has been prepared by the Eastern Metro Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee and is approved by the Emergency Management Commissioner.
ISBN 978-1-922262-46-2
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Table of contents 1. Introduction ...... 4 1.1 Purpose ...... 4 1.2 Objective ...... 4 1.3 Scope ...... 4 1.4 Authority ...... 5 1.5 Administration ...... 6
2. Regional Context and Risk Profile ...... 7 2.2 Regional Operability ...... 9 2.3 Significant historic emergencies in the region ...... 9
3. This Plan ...... 11 3.1 Sub-plans and complementary plans ...... 11 3.2 Planning Process ...... 12 3.3 Planning Objectives ...... 13 3.4 Three-year planning horizon ...... 13
4. Emergency Management Phases ...... 14 4.1 Mitigation ...... 14 4.2 Preparedness ...... 14 4.3 Response ...... 15 4.4 Recovery arrangements ...... 16
5. Evaluation and continuous improvement ...... 17
6. Roles and responsibilities ...... 18
7. Restricted operational information ...... 18
Document information ...... 19
Attachment A: Plan Hierarchy ...... 22
Attachment B: Emergency management regions ...... 24
Attachment C: Emergency Management Plan Statement of Assurance for this Plan ...... 26
Attachment D: Cross-border considerations ...... 27
Attachment E: Regional Risk Assessment...... 28
Attachment F: Regional and Incident Control Centres ...... 33
Attachment G: Emergency Management Agency Roles and Responsibilities ...... 33
Attachment H: Municipal Emergency Management Plan approval schedule ...... 38
Attachment I: Map - Regional Overview ...... 39
Attachment J: Map of Inner Local Government Areas ...... 40
Attachment K: Map of Shire of Yarra Ranges ...... 41
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1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose The EM Act 2013 requires each REMPC to develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency management plan (Plan) for the region that seeks to reduce • the likelihood of emergencies; • the effect of emergencies on communities; and • the consequences of emergencies for communities.
1.2 Objective This Plan documents the agreed emergency management arrangements for mitigation, response and recovery; and defines the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders at the regional level. It supports efficiency and effectiveness on a platform of shared responsibility and interoperability to deliver community centred outcomes. The Plan seeks to build safer and more resilient communities through dynamic engagement and connectedness with the individuals, groups and broader society that makes up the Eastern Metro Region. It ensures a coordinated and integrated approach with a focus on community involvement in planning in line with the ‘all communities – all emergencies’ approach to emergency management.
1.3 Scope
1.3.1 Context This plan supports holistic and coordinated emergency management arrangements within the region. It is consistent with and contextualises the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP). The REMP is a subordinate plan to the SEMP.
In addition to the SEMP, this Plan considers the municipal emergency management plans (MEMPs) within the region and region-specific issues and opportunities (including cross- border emergencies and consequences) that exist. This Plan is not an aggregation of MEMPs within the region but instead addresses and capitalises on opportunities that exist to enhance emergency management planning outcomes and sustain or improve capability and capacity within the region.
To the extent possible, this Plan does not conflict with or duplicate other in-force emergency management plans that exist.
Figure 1 outlines this Plan’s hierarchy. This Plan should be read in conjunction with the SEMP and any other identified plans listed in Attachment B.
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Municipal Community Regional Emergency State Emergency Emergency Emergency Management Management Plan Management Management Plan Plans within the Plans region
Boroondara
Knox
Eastern Metro Manningham State Regional Emergency Emergency Management Management Plan Plan Maroondah - including sub- (this Plan) Emerald plans - including sub- plans Monash Healesville Macclesfield
Whitehorse Monbulk Olinda Powelltown Yarra Ranges Warburton
Figure 1: Plan hierarchy
1.4 Authority In 2020, the Emergency Management Act 2013 (EM Act 2013) was amended to provide for new integrated arrangements for emergency management planning in Victoria at the State, regional and municipal levels; and create an obligation for a Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee (REMPC) to be established in each of the eight emergency management regions of Victoria. Each REMPC is a multi-agency collaboration group whose members bring organisation, industry or personal expertise to the task of emergency management planning for the region.
Eastern Metro Region is declared as a region by the Governor in Council for the purposes of emergency management planning, pursuant to section 77A of the EM Act 2013 (see Attachment B for more detail).
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The plan complies with the requirements of the EM Act 2013 including having regard to any relevant guidelines issued under section 77.
1.5 Administration
1.5.1 Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee An overview of the REMPC, including details of its membership, meetings and relationship to State and municipal planning tiers, is detailed in the REMPC’s Terms of Reference, available on request to the REMPC.
1.5.2 Plan approval This Regional Emergency Management Plan is approved by the Emergency Management Commissioner (EMC). This Plan comes into effect when it is published and remains in effect until superseded by an approved and published update. This Plan is published on the Emergency Management Victoria website, as required by s60AI of the EM Act 2013.
1.5.3 Plan assurance This Plan has been prepared in accordance with the EM Act 2013 and Ministerial Guidelines for preparing emergency management plans. A Statement of Assurance (Attachment C) has been prepared and submitted to the EMC pursuant to EM Act 2013 (s60AG).
1.5.4 Plan review To ensure the Plan provides for a current integrated, coordinated and comprehensive approach to emergency management and is effective, it is to be reviewed at least every three years or as required. An urgent update of this Plan is permitted if there is significant risk that life or property will be endangered if the Plan is not updated (EM Act 2013 s60AM). Urgent updates come into effect when published on the EMV website and remain in force for a maximum period of three months. This Plan is to be reviewed not later than 22 October 2023.
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2. Regional Context and Risk Profile
2.1.1 Regional Context The Eastern Metro Region covers seven Local Government Areas (LGAs): suburban Boroondara, Monash, Whitehorse and Manningham, the outer suburban LGAs of Knox and Maroondah and the rural interface Shire of Yarra Ranges. With over 990,000 residents, it is home to nearly one fifth of Melbourne’s population. The diverse communities found within the region include inner-city suburbs such as Kew and Hawthorn, large outer metropolitan suburbs such as Ringwood and Boronia, and semi-rural townships such as Healesville, Yarra Glen, Warburton and Yarra Junction. Approximately 18 per cent of the population was born overseas in a non-English speaking country, and 20 per cent speak a language other than English in the home, with Greek, Cantonese, Italian and Mandarin foremost. The suburban areas feature tree lined streets, significant open space and many parks and gardens. Further to the east, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges natural assets are a focus for tourism and include Puffing Billy Railway, Healesville Sanctuary and the Yarra Valley wine industry. Incomes vary with Boroondara and Manningham well above the Melbourne average while Maroondah and Yarra Ranges are a little lower. The largest employers in the region are health care and social assistance, retail, education and training sectors. The Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) contains world-renowned education, health and research institutions. Yarra Ranges Shire has an important agricultural industry, particularly horticulture. The regions forested catchments collect 70% of Melbourne’s drinking water.
2.1.2 Risk Profile The region has some of the most fire prone areas in the world, particularly the Dandenong Ranges. This is due to its mountainous topography, highly flammable native vegetation and climatic patterns that combine to create severe fire hazard conditions almost every year. Another factor that makes this area particularly hazardous is the combination of forest/urban environments, the number of residents and tourists and limited access. Eastern Metro Region encompasses significant tourist routes including the Maroondah and Melba Highways which carry the bulk of tourists travelling through the area to neighbouring destinations such as the Alpine National Parks for the snow fields and tourist destinations within the landscape, for example the large number of wineries, holiday resorts and international tourist attractions. The Eastern and Monash Freeways carry high volumes of domestic and industry transport in and out of the CBD and Eastern and Western regions. Work on the North East Link Freeway has commenced and will be opening in stages from 2021. There are several high-profile retail shopping complexes located at Eastlands (Ringwood), Doncaster Shoppingtown and Knox City, Wantirna South. These locations attract high volume local and intrastate patronage. All municipalities within the region have a history of riverine and flash flooding. Underground drainage systems are frequently overwhelmed by localised intense rainfall associated with storm cells. Many of the suburban municipalities are undergoing significant redevelopment, with increases in population density and intensification of land use, particularly along the main transport routes. This redevelopment generates more run-off, increasing the likelihood of flash flooding.
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Riverine flooding occurs along the major water courses following widespread heavy rainfall. Water levels can rise quickly in the Gardiners; Koonung; Mullum and Dandenong creeks following heavy rainfall causing localised flooding. They generally fall quickly, except Dandenong Creek which can see slow water movement and prolonged inundation because of the relatively flat topography. The Yarra and Watts Rivers are subject to flooding following widespread heavy rainfall when soils in the catchments are saturated, causing inundation of adjoining low-lying areas, however significant damage to infrastructure is rare. Storms cause millions of dollars of damage across metropolitan Melbourne each year and the effects in the region are often extended in heavily treed areas and areas where power supply and road access are more vulnerable. Storms can bring lightning, destructive winds (including tornados), dust, hail, and heavy rain. Damage is often localised and follows the path of storms cell. Damage typically includes road and building damage, trees down across roads and properties, lightning damage, flash flooding and injury to people. Damage to livestock and agriculture is often significant. The region experiences a dozen or so thunderstorms each year, usually in late spring and early autumn, but they can occur at any time. For 15/16 financial year, the RACV reported that Yarra Ranges, Knox, Monash and Manningham rated in the top ten local government areas for storm-related insurance claims.
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2.2 Regional Operability The Eastern Metro Region shares borders with the North West and Southern Metropolitan Regions as well the Hume and Gippsland Regions. Some unique arrangements exist to ensure tactical interoperability in these areas and across the region, including mutual assistance and support strategies.
Unique arrangements are documented and recorded at Attachment D.
2.3 Significant historic emergencies in the region Year Bushfire Flood Storm Heat Other Wave 1891 Mount Dandenong /Montrose landslide 1905 Healesville 1908 5 days 1913 Sassafras/Monbulk 1923 Belgrave/Upwey/Ferny Yarra River/ Creek Dandenong Ck 1926 Dandenongs/Upper Yarra/Healesville 1932 Upper Yarra (Matlock) 1934 The Basin/Ferntree Gully 1934 Yarra Valley 1939 Black Friday 4 days Dandenongs/ Upper Yarra/Healesville 1944 The Basin/Ferntree Gully/Monbulk 1954 Upper Ferntree Gully/One Tree Hill 1959 3 days 1962 Dandenongs/Upper Yarra/Healesville 1968 The Basin/Sassafras/Ferny Creek/Upwey 1971 Widespread 1972 The Basin/Sassafras/Upper Ferntree Gully 1973 Lysterfield 1974 Widespread 1980 Upwey/Mount Dandenong 1983 Ash Wednesday 1984 Widespread 1990 3 days 1991 Mt Little Joe Yarra State Forest 1991 Widespread 1992 Warburton landslide 1993 1997 The Basin/Dandenong Ranges/Montrose
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Year Bushfire Flood Storm Heat Other Wave 2002 Monash University shooting 2003 Melbourne hailstorm 2003 Avian flu outbreaks 2009 Black Saturday 5 days H1N1 pandemic 2010 Knox hailstorm event 2010 Widespread flash flooding 2013 10 days 2014 Gladysdale/Warrandyte Storm/Flash 4 days Blueberry Rust Flooding Maroondah/Yar ra Ranges/Boroon dara 2015 Whitehorse/Yar ra Ranges flash flooding 2016 Metro Thunderstorm Windstorm Asthma (Nov) (Oct) 2017 Metro floods and Warragul Rd sinkhole (Dec) 2019 Cambarville 3 days 2020 Damaging COVID-19 winds EMR pandemic (Aug)
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3. This Plan
The Eastern Metro REMPC has prepared this Plan as required by the EM Act 2013 and having regard to the Ministerial guidelines for preparing emergency management plans.
In developing this Plan, the REMPC has committed to: • maintaining an awareness of existing emergency plans and arrangements within the Region. • a robust risk evaluation process, including o undertaking regular risk and hazard assessments o maintaining a regional risk register o supporting accountable agencies to identify and prioritise possible treatments for emergency risks and consequences within the region o developing plans to manage or mitigate identified and prioritised residual risks • identifying capability and capacity limitations and within the region and supporting capability uplift, including through multi-agency exercising and training The arrangements in this plan apply on a continuing basis and do not require specific activation.
3.1 Sub-plans and complementary plans
3.1.1 Sub-plans The REMPC will determine if a sub-plan is required to detail more specific or complex arrangements that either enhance or contextualise this Plan. All sub-plans are multi-agency plans and may be hazard specific where the consequences are likely to be significant, for example a regional flood response sub-plan.
All sub-plans to this Plan are subject to the same preparation, consultation, approval and publication requirements as this Plan, as outlined in Part 6A of the EM Act 2013.
Agencies with roles or responsibilities in the sub-plan must act in accordance with the plan (EM Act 2013 s60AK).
In determining which risks require sub-plans to support this Plan, the REMPC has had consideration of the following reports and supporting materials:
• Regional Emergency Risk Profile, Eastern Metropolitan, EMV (draft) April 2015 • Regional Emergency Risk Project 2014/15 State Level Report • Victoria’s Critical Infrastructure All Sectors Resilience Report 2020 • Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy, EMV July 2015 • Victorian Climate Science Report, DELWP 2019 A list of sub-plans is included at Attachment A.
3.1.2 Complementary Plans Complementary plans are prepared by industry/sectors or agencies for emergencies that do not fall within Part 6A of the EM Act 2013. They are often prepared under other legislation, governance or statutory requirements for a specific purpose.
Complementary plans do not form part of this Plan and are not subject to approval, consultation and other requirements under the EM Act 2013.
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A list of complementary plans that have significance to the comprehensive, coordinated and integrated emergency management arrangements in the region are included at Attachment A.
3.2 Planning Process The planning process seeks to understand the context, assess strategies, develop, monitor and review plans to manage identified risks or hazards.
The State Emergency Management Priorities outlined in the SEMP underpin and guide all decisions at every phase of emergency management. These priorities are: • Protection and preservation of life is paramount. This includes: o Safety of emergency response personnel and o Safety of community members including vulnerable community members and visitors/ tourists • 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 • Protection of critical infrastructure and community assets that support community resilience • Protection of residential property as a place of primary residence • Protection of assets supporting individual livelihoods and economic production that supports individual and community financial sustainability • Protection of environmental and conservation assets that considers the cultural, biodiversity, and social values of the environment.
In addition to the sub-plans and complementary plans that are in existence to manage known risks, the REMPC has identified and prioritised some risks for which further planning is recommended (Attachment E). These risks have been assessed through a consequence lens to establish regional coordination and response arrangements that will support an effective, coordinated and integrated response. It is noted that mitigation for these risks may fall to an individual or agency and that the REMPC does not have authority to direct any person. The REMPCs function is to provide information and guidance to the relevant risk owner, where necessary.
The REMPC is committed to undertaking a comprehensive process to determine if plans can collectively achieve a specified response by: • Supporting risk identification • Defining specific events and the triggers that action a response • Identifying lead and supporting agencies • Confirming plans are authorised and executable through established communication lines and controls • Monitoring progress of the planning process for a given event • Identifying gaps and duplication in developing planning tasks This process will not directly develop agency or departmental plans; however, it may support the development of multi-agency plans such as a regional recovery plan.
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3.3 Planning Objectives This plan will: • Ensure mitigation, response and recovery are effectively integrated. • Promote an integrated and coordinated approach to emergency management in the EMR to reduce consequences on the community. • Promote a community focused and placed based approach • Assist in building more resilient communities and create opportunities for community- based roles • Connect our regional emergency management sector and build networks, capabilities and capacity • Support emergency and recovery worker wellbeing
3.4 Three-year planning horizon The criteria used to measure the success of this Plan are: • Identify and review complementary plans • Review and refresh sub-plans as required • Assurance of all MEMPs within 3-year cycle. • Monitor, evaluate and review the REMP based on learnings from incidents • Encourage and support integrated training and exercising • Identify, assess and mitigate new and emerging risks
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4. Emergency Management Phases 4.1 Mitigation This Plan recognises that mitigation activities occur across a broad range of business, industry and agencies, as part of normal working arrangements. Mitigation strategies may include application of policy and regulations, development of infrastructure, and provision of training and education activities.
The REMPC has undertaken an emergency risk assessment (Attachment E) for the region. This process has included:
• Identification of existing or emerging risks and hazards relevant to the Region • Identification and discussion with the risk owner to understand the existing plans, arrangements or strategies being carried out to manage or mitigate the risk • Regular regional activities that support collective mitigation efforts • Identification of regional treatment plans • Identification of integrated activities for training and exercising across relevant agencies and groups with a role in emergency management both within and across regional boundaries. • The conduct of annual coordinated joint agency fire patrols in high risk areas on days of elevated fire danger • Supported the coordinated implementation of state bushfire mitigation initiatives including: o Community Based Bushfire Management program o Safer Together projects o Reducing Bushfire Risk projects o Strategic Fuel Management Strategy o Joint Fuel Management Plan 4.2 Preparedness In the emergency management context preparedness includes activities undertaken by individual agencies or stakeholders to prepare for identified hazards or risks such as storm season. Activities may include but are not limited to doctrine review, training or exercising, asset and equipment maintenance or personnel recruitment.
In undertaking preparedness activities, consideration is given to the five core capability elements and the 21 core capabilities detailed in the 2018 Victorian Preparedness Framework. The framework shows agencies how to estimate their capability requirements, set capability targets and identify the critical tasks to achieve the targets.
Eastern Metro Region preparedness activities that will be undertaken to support capability and capacity for the term of this plan include:
• Assessment of existing capability and capacity levels, gap analysis, development and implementation of an improvement strategy • Integrated training and exercising activities to support seamless transition from readiness to response to recovery. • Review previous season effectiveness of the coordination, control, consequence management and communications functions/outcomes/actions/improvements • Coordinated pre-season fire and severe weather briefings
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• Preparation and renewal of interagency partnership agreements and memorandums of understanding • Preparation and review of joint agency procedures • Support and encouragement of collaborative initiatives and activities such as the Eastern Metropolitan Councils Emergency Management Partnership • Coordination and integration across the sector and phases of emergencies
4.3 Response The phase includes agency command, control and coordination arrangements that are in place and tested before an event (known as readiness), the conduct of the response operation, and the provision of immediate relief to support communities during and in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
Where possible, response activities should be managed at the lowest possible level which is often the municipal level. Whilst this is the case, regional support may be requested in accordance the arrangements outlined in this Plan.
This Plan applies a regional lens to response arrangements that will be applied when a multi- agency effort is required to manage an emergency event. It is not intended to be a tactical level plan although it may support the development of such plans and outline the arrangements where the scale and nature of the emergency require escalation.
Regional response arrangements in the Eastern Metro Region include:
• Coordinated regional level readiness, response, relief and recovery management for major emergency events through the application of agreed triggers and resource escalation • Coordination of readiness and response in conjunction with other metropolitan regions to be efficient and effective • Resourcing of readiness and response across agencies within the region prior to escalation • Utilisation of community and business networks to enhance engagement • Ensuring intelligence and insights gained from community meetings are used to ensure community concerns are considered in the operational management of an emergency • Monitoring and communication during state-controlled operations • Oversight of control and coordination activities to ensure timely and effective activation, response, communication, relief, transfer of control, de-escalation, and transition to recovery • Active assessment and management of region wide consequences during incidents • How we capture opportunities for collaboration and coordination and minimise duplication of effort (e.g. relating to community engagement and exercising) • Ensuring timely and wholistic after-action reviews and development of strategies to address identified areas for improvement • Resource Coordination, where there is a need for it to be done at a regional level • Management and resourcing of key state level assets (such as the SES Mobile Command Vehicle and the CFA Bayswater Breathing Apparatus Van).
4.3.1 Incident Control Centres and Regional Control Centre/s As per the Victorian Emergency Operations Handbook, Class 1 and some types of Class 2 emergencies are managed from the State Control Centre, Regional Control Centres (RCCs)
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The Victorian Emergency Operations Handbook details the locations and contact details for each RCC and ICC across the state, which are expanded further in Attachment F of this Plan.
4.4 Recovery arrangements This REMP outlines recovery arrangements that will be applied where an emergency has impacted multiple municipalities or communities or where the impacts of an emergency have wide ranging or long-term impacts or to provide a regional lens for what is outlined in the SEMP.
The Regional Controller, the Regional Recovery Coordinator (DHHS) and where required the State Recovery Manager, will determine the transition timing and handover requirements to fully establish the Recovery Coordination arrangements.
Recovery will occur largely in accordance with the Sub-Plan: Eastern Metropolitan region emergency relief and recovery plan 2017.
Over the period of this REMP, there is value in reviewing the Sub-Plan and developing a more contemporary consequence and outcomes-focussed relief and recovery planning framework that reflects the regional characteristics and demands. In general, and when there are state- wide or region-wide recovery coordination demands, the region will, under DHHS coordination, develop fit-for-purpose event-based state or regional Relief and Recovery Plans. Eastern Metropolitan Councils Emergency Management Partnership MoU provides a framework for mutual support within the region across a range of recovery activities. The relief and recovery partner agencies and groups that multiple LGAs may use are shown in Attachment G.
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5. Evaluation and continuous improvement
The Eastern Metro Region supports the State’s commitment to a culture of continuous improvement that is outlined in the 2015 EM-LEARN Framework. The region does this by: • sharing lessons, both positive actions to sustain and areas for improvement • encouraging learning from both assurance activities and contemporary good practice • focusing on systems of work, rather than the performance of individuals • recognising that identifying and implementing sustainable solutions takes time, resources and opportunity Lessons management involves the identification and learning of lessons captured through assurance and learning activities (including debriefing, monitoring and reviews) occurring before, during and after emergencies. This process of moving from identifying lessons to learning lessons is guided by the lessons management life cycle within the EM-LEARN Framework, which aims to provide a state-wide shared understanding of what lessons management means for the Victorian Emergency Management sector. For the Eastern Metro Region, lessons management takes the form of the following arrangements: • Conducting After Action Reviews, both formal and informal, with community and operational personnel before, during and after emergencies • Sharing learnings openly across the REMPC in order to lead to change and improvement • Continuously review the effectiveness of the coordination, control, consequence management and communications functions before, during and after incidents • Actively participating in independent assurance activities undertaken by IGEM and other parties, review findings and recommendations, and implement change as required • Utilising before action reports to embed identified regional lessons as part of readiness and operational response • Embedding outcomes from seasonal debriefing in exercise and training programs to foster a culture of lessons being learnt within the region
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6. Roles and responsibilities
An agency that has a role or responsibility under this plan must act in accordance with the plan. The SEMP outlines agreed agency roles and responsibilities, noting that existing duties, functions, power, responsibility or obligation conferred on an agency by law, licence, agreement or arrangement prevail to the extent of its inconsistency with this plan (EM Act 2013 s60AK). The roles and responsibilities outlined in this plan are specific to the region and are in addition to, or variations on, what is outlined in the SEMP. Attachment G provides further detail relating to each agency’s roles and responsibilities where they differ from the SEMP.
7. Restricted operational information
Section 60AI(2) of the EM Act 2013 allows the REMPC and Emergency Management Victoria to exclude information from the published plan that is related to critical infrastructure, personal information or information that is of a commercially sensitive nature. A short summary of the restricted information is included here, including who the contact point is should the user of this plan seek access to this information. Summary of the Reason for Agencies that hold Contact point/s restricted information restriction this information in full Nil
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Document information
Document details
Criteria Details Document title: Eastern Metro Regional Emergency Management Plan Document owner: Eastern Metro Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee
Version control
Version Date Summary of amendments Author 0.1 29 Jun 2020 Initial draft provided to key Laura Adams, EMV stakeholders for feedback 0.2 14 Jul 2020 Feedback incorporated and further Kaylene Jones and Laura enhancements. Adams, EMV Provided to REMP Development Working Groups to guide development of REMPs. 0.3 30 Aug 2020 Initial draft for consideration of the Bernard Barbetti IREMPC 0.4 30 Sep 2020 Draft for IREMPC endorsement Bernard Barbetti 0.5 12 Oct 2020 Draft for EMC approval Bernard Barbetti 0.6 28 Oct 2020 Minor amendments suggest by EMV Bernard Barbetti 1.0 18 Nov 2020 Approved by Andrew Crisp, N/A Emergency Management Commissioner
Document assurance This document requires the following assurance:
Assurer Title Date Bernard Barbetti Chair – on behalf of the Eastern Metro REMPC 30 Sep 2020
Document approval This document requires the following approval:
Approver Title Date Andrew Crisp Emergency Management Commissioner 18 Nov 2020
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References
Support material Author Location/link Guidelines for Preparing State, Issued by the EMV Website Regional and Municipal Minister for https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-we- Emergency Management Police and help/emergency-management- Plans, Sep 2020 Emergency planning/planning-guidelines Emergency Risks in Victoria Dept of DJCS Website Report, Feb 2014 Justice and https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/safer- Community communities/emergencies/emergency-risks-in- Safety victoria-report Regional Emergency Risk Emergency Unpublished Profile, Eastern Metropolitan Management DRAFT APRIL 2015 Victoria Victoria’s Climate Science Dept of DELWP Website Report 2019 Environment, https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/__data/a Land, Water ssets/pdf_file/0029/442964/Victorias-Climate- and Planning Science-Report-2019.pdf Eastern Metro Environmental Emergency EMV Website Scan, Aug 2020 Management https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/publications/easter Victoria n-metro-environmental-scan Resilient Recovery Strategy Emergency EMV Website Nov 2019 Management https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-we- Victoria help/resilient-recovery-strategy Victorian Emergency Emergency EMV Website Operations Handbook Management https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/publications/victori Dec 2019 Victoria an-emergency-operations-handbook Victorian Preparedness Emergency EMV Website Framework, May 2018 Management https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-we- Victoria help/emergency-management-capability-in- victoria/victorian-preparedness-framework Victorian Emergency Emergency EMV Website Management Strategic Action Management https://files-em.em.vic.gov.au/public/EMV- Plan, Apr 2019 Victoria web/Publications/EMV_Strategic_Action_Plan_ 2018-2021.pdf Victorian State Emergency Emergency EMV Website Management Plan, Sep 2020 Management https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/responsibilities/se Victoria mp
Review date
Review Date Description 22 November 2023 This document will be reviewed every 3 years or more frequently as required.
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Acronyms This section contains acronyms that are used throughout this Plan.
Acronym Description CERA Community Emergency Risk Assessment CFA Country Fire Authority DJCS Dept of Justice and Community Safety DELWP Dept of Environment, Land, Water and Planning EM Act 2013 Emergency Management Act 2013 EMC Emergency Management Commissioner EMCEMP Eastern Metropolitan Councils Emergency Management Partnership EMMV Emergency Management Manual Victoria EMR Eastern Metro Region EMV Emergency Management Victoria ERC Emergency Relief Centre FFMVic Forest Fire Management Victoria FRV Fire Rescue Victoria IRCS Interagency Response Coordination System MEC Municipal Emergency Centre MEMP Municipal Emergency Management Plan MOU Memorandum of Understanding MW Melbourne Water REMPC Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee REMP Regional Emergency Management Plan SEMP State Emergency Management Plan SES State Emergency Service
Definitions This section contains definitions that are additional to the definitions included in the State Emergency Management Plan.
Terms Description
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Attachment A: Plan Hierarchy
This Plan’s sub plans • Municipal Emergency Management Plans • EMR Strategic Fire Management Plan, Nov 2011 • Pandemic Influenza Plan 2018-2020 • Eastern Region Local Government Extreme Heath Plan V 2.0 • Eastern Metropolitan region emergency relief and recovery plan 2017 • Victoria Police Traffic Management Plans (Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley)
This Plan’s complementary plans • SES Central Region Emergency Response Plan – Flood Sub-plan, August 2018 • SES Central Region Emergency Response Plan – Storm Sub-plan, June 2018 • SES Central Region Emergency Response Plan – Earthquake Sub-plan, August 2018 • SES Central Region Emergency Response Plan – Landslide Sub-plan, August 2019 • Joint Metropolitan Regions Local Mutual Aid Plan (LMAP) • Worksafe Victoria-CFA-FRV MoU • CFA-FRV Eastlink Tunnels MoU (Plan) • CFA and DELWP Cooperative Arrangement? • FRV-CFA Joint Operational Activities MoU (Interim amendment to MoU to rename FRV to FRV) • Eastern Metropolitan Victorian Government Region, (CFA North East Region) Readiness and Response Arrangements • Regional Control Centre Chirnside Park Business Continuity Plan • Ferntree Gully Incident Control Centre Business Continuity Plan • Woori Yallock Incident Control Centre Business Continuity Plan • The Victorian Fire Investigation Inter-Agency Agreement • The CFA, DELWP and MW Bushfire Management and Planned Burning Arrangement • Eastern Metropolitan Region, Risk and Consequence Plan: Bushfire and Heat 2017- 2018 • DELWP State 2019-20 Emergency Readiness and Response Plan (Bushfire/Water/Wildlife/Energy) • FFMVic Port Phillip Region Supplement, Readiness and Response Plan 2019-20 • Eastern Metropolitan Councils Emergency Management Partnership (EMCEMP) Plans o EMCEMP MOU V6.2 April 2019 o EMCEMP Strategic Plan V1.0 2018-2021 o EMCEMP Implementation Plan V1.0 2018-2021 • Eastern Metropolitan Emergency Relief Centre Plans o 2018 ERC Sub Plan Part 1 Arrangements V10 o 2020 ERC Sub Plan Part 2 SOPs o Part 3 - ERC RS April 2018 V10 • Municipal Emergency Centre Plans o MEC - Part 1 Arrangements V1.0 o MEC - Part 2 - SOP V1.0 o MEC Part 3 - Role Statements V1.0 o MEC Part 4 - Appendix V1.0 • Eastern Metropolitan Councils Emergency Animal Welfare Plan V2.0
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Community Emergency Management Plans • Emerald • Healesville • Macclesfield • Monbulk • Olinda • Powelltown • Warburton
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Attachment B: Emergency management regions
Declaration of eight emergency management regions This Plan recognises that the regions for emergency management do not align with the regions used in the business as usual activity of each REMPC member agency. On recommendation of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Governor in Council will declare emergency management regions under s77A of the Emergency Management Act 2013, as amended by the Emergency Management Legislation Amendment Act 2018.
The eight emergency management regions are: - Barwon South West - Gippsland - Grampians - Hume - Loddon Mallee - Eastern Metro - North West Metro - Southern Metro
The eight regions are based on the Victoria government regions with minor variations for the purposes of emergency management. All emergency management regions are encouraged to collaborate with other regions as part of the new planning framework. The Area of Operations concept in the State Emergency Management Plan provides flexibility across all emergency management regions.
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Eastern Metro as an emergency management region
The municipalities within the Eastern Metro region are: • Boroondara City • Knox City • Manningham City • Maroondah City • Monash City • Whitehorse City • Yarra Ranges Shire
The Eastern Metro REMPC is also responsible for planning up to 3 nautical miles from shore, including any unincorporated areas within this 3 nautical mile limit.
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Attachment C: Emergency Management Plan Statement of Assurance for this Plan
Plan Preparer: Eastern Metro Region Emergency Management Planning Committee
I certify that the attached Regional Emergency Management Plan complies with the requirements of the Emergency Management Act 2013, including having regard to any relevant guidelines issued under section 77 of that Act, to the extent outlined in the planning assurance checklist.
Signature of nominated representative of preparer:
Name: Bernard Barbetti, Chair, Eastern Metro Region Emergency Management Planning Committee Date: 30 Sep 2020
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Attachment D: Cross-border considerations
Bushfire
The continuous forested public land in the region’s north and east has seen major fires encroach from the Hume, Gippsland and Southern Metropolitan regions. On Black Saturday 2009, three major bushfires crossed regional borders and impacted the Eastern Metro Region. The Kilmore East fire through to Steeles Creek then into the Maroondah Catchment north of Healesville following the wind change. The Murrindindi Mill fire burnt into the O’Shannassy Catchment. And the Bunyip fire burnt into the Yarra State Forest south of Powelltown. Cross border coordination is critical effective response and community engagement.
Major Road Transport Routes:
Eastlink crosses both EMR and SMR Monash Freeway between East Link and Chadstone is in EMR, but the rest is in SMR or NWM North Eastlink under construction for staged opening during 2021
Joint Metro Arrangements
The metropolitan regions share a range of risk environments and response challenges. Most of the response agencies have aligned their boundaries with the Victorian Emergency Management Regions. Several agencies cover all three regions within one organisational unit: • SES Central Region • Fire Rescue Victoria • DELWP Port Phillip Region To be efficient and achieve consistency, the three metropolitan regional control teams collaborate on a range of preparedness and response activities. These activities are described in the Joint Metropolitan Activity matrix. SES, FRV, CFA and FFMVic annual prepare a common Local Mutual Aid Plan.
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Attachment E: Regional Risk Assessment
Significant State Risks The Eastern Metro Region will play a role in ensuring the risks to following state-based critical infrastructure are managed: Communications State lead - Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Communication towers • Mt Dandenong transmission towers • Emergency Services radio communication towers Energy State lead - Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning Electricity Natural Gas • High voltage transmission lines • Pipelines - Hazelwood-South Morang - Pakenham-Wollert - Rowville – Ringwood, Malvern, - Dandenong – West Melbourne Templestowe, Richmond (Ring Main) • Terminal Substations - Rowville – Ferntree Gully - Templestowe - Ringwood – Nunawading, - Ringwood - Ringwood - Lilydale, Yarra Glen - East Rowville - Rowville - Coldstream
Transport State lead - Department of Transport Major roads Public Transport • East Link Tollway • Suburban train lines - Melba Tunnel - Lilydale Line • Eastern Freeway - Belgrave Line • Monash Freeway - Alamein Line - Glen Waverley Line Vulnerable roads - Cranbourne / Pakenham line • Maroondah Highway (Black Spur) • Suburban tram routes • Mount Dandenong Tourist Road • Suburban bus routes • Woods Point Road • Yarra Junction – Noojee Road
Water Supply State lead - Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning • Melbourne Water catchments • Melbourne Water infrastructure (107kha) - Dams, Pipelines, Aqueducts, • Reservoirs Pumping Stations, Treatment - Upper Yarra Plants - Maroondah
- O’Shannassy - Silvan
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Significant Regional Risks and Consequences The Regional Emergency Risk Project 2014/15 State Level Report determined the following risks and consequences were the most significant for the Eastern Metro Region.
Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee considers that this risk assessment should also include bushfire, flash flooding and riverine flooding as significant regional risks as evidenced below:
Risk Area Scenario Confidence Risk Bushfire Bushfires in the Dandenong Ranges on 1997 High HIgh resulted in the loss of 44 houses and 3 lives Flash Flooding Flash flooding may impact the Ferntree Gully Drain, High High Ferny Creek or Upwey Creek. 198 properties are identified as an over-floor flood risk in a 1% Annual Chance flood as well as several infrastructure locations, including three schools, an aged care facility, a kindergarten, a shopping centre and a power terminal sub-station. The Ferntree Gully Incident Control Centre may have access cut with flooding over 30cm deep possible on Acacia Road. Riverine The Yarra and Little Yarra may flood at Yarra Moderate Medium Flooding Junction, with risks to Settlement Road, Lowes Road, Corduroy Road and Doon Road where many semi- rural properties are located as well as the Doon Reserve Caravan Park and the Warburton Highway.
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Significant Municipal Risks (Community Emergency Risk Assessment (CERA)) The SES Community Emergency Risk Assessment (CERA) provides the Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee with a municipal consideration of residual risk.
The diagrams below illustrate the municipal assessments consolidated by the SES in June 2020 and have been aggregated at the regional level.
Figure 2: Consolidated CERA Municipal Risks
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CERA Residual Risk Ratings by Municipality
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Climate Change Victoria’s climate has changed in recent decades, becoming warmer and drier and this trend is expected to continue. Climate change increases the regional risk across many natural hazards, amplifies the consequences, and will test the resilience of health and emergencies services.
The regions forests are likely to become drier leading to increased fire activity, longer and earlier seasons, and more intense fire behaviour. Ignitions due to lighting will increase with more thunderstorms. An increased risk of pyro convective activity will lead to more damaging fires.
Heat waves will be more likely and more severe. This will lead to more heat stress among vulnerable people, increased demand for power and more outages. Damage to infrastructure will be more frequent, such as road surfaces bleeding, and rail lines buckling.
Rainfall associated with thunderstorms is likely to be more intense leading to more frequent flash flooding. Damaging wind events are also more likely. The heavily treed nature of the region means the consequences of such events can be extensive and prolonged, with loss of power, road closures and damage caused by fallen trees and limbs.
Climate change is also likely to compounding events, different emergencies happening at the same time (heat waves during drought) or a series of events happening in quick succession (fire, damaging winds, flash flooding).
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Attachment F: Regional and Incident Control Centres
Regional Control Centre Location Street address CFA Chirnside Park 272 Maroondah Hwy Chirnside Park BCP Plan in EMCOP Desktop>EMR>Plans Contact via agency duty officer.
Incident Control Centres Location Street address CFA Woori Yallock 7-9 Symes Road Woori Yallock BCP Plan in EMCOP Desktop>EMR>Plans Contact via agency duty officer.
Location Street address CFA Ferntree Gully 27/69 Acacia Rd Ferntree Gully BCP Plan in EMCOP Desktop>EMR>Plans Contact via agency duty officer.
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Attachment G: Emergency Management Agency Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities outlined in this attachment are additional to or modifications from what is outlined in the State Emergency Management Plan.
The following organisation provide a range of services to communities within the Eastern Metro Region.
Human Welfare Services
Anchor Inc. Country Women’s Knox Youth Services Association of Australia (CWAA)
Anglicare Victoria Doncare Lions
Brotherhood of St Laurence EACH Rotary
CamCare Eastern Health Save the Children
Centrecare Eastern Ranges GP St Vincent de Paul Association (ERGPA)
Community House Ltd. Hawthorn Mental health UnitingCare Harrison (CHL) Service
Community Housing Ltd Inspiro Community Health Volunteering Victoria Service
Connections UnitingCare Knox Community Health Wesley Mission Victoria Service
Their activities and core capabilities (as described in the Victorian Preparedness Framework) can be summarised as:
Relief and Recovery Activities • Relief Assistance • Social Recovery
Mitigation Activities • Building Community Resilience • Health Protection
Some Health Service providers also have a response capability:
Response Activities • Health Emergency
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Animal Welfare Services
Animal Aid Help for Wildlife Wildlife Victoria
Friends of Manningham RSPCA Victoria Dogs and Cats (FOMDAC)
Their activities and core capabilities can be summarised as:
Relief and Recovery Activities • Relief Assistance
Mitigation Activities • Building Community Resilience
Economic Services
Yarra Valley Tourism
Their activities and core capabilities can be summarised as:
Relief and Recovery Activities • Economic Recovery
Mitigation Activities • Building Community Resilience
Communication Services (Community Radio)
3ECB 98.1FM Radio Eastern FM 3WBC 94.1FM (Box Hill)
3MDR 97.1FM Mountain District Radio YVFM 99.1FM Yarra Valley FM
Their activities and core capabilities can be summarised as:
Response Activities • Community Information and Warnings
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Relief and Recovery Providers and Services by Local Government Area
LGA Food & Water Non-food items Emergency Shelter Reconnecting First Aid Psycho-social Financial Animal Families, etc Primary support assistance Welfare Care Region-wide Red Cross Salvation Army DHHS VicPol & Red AV DHHS DHHS DJPR (and state) Cross Red Cross VCC Boroondara Red Cross Salvation Army Salvation Army VicPol & St John Camcare DHHS DJPR St Vincent de DHHS Red Cross Ambulance Salvo Care Eastern Services RSPCA Paul Access Health & Australia Brotherhood of Community St Laurence Hawthorn Mental Vic Foodbank Health Services Relationships Australia VCC Knox Red Cross Salvation Army DHHS VicPol AV DHHS DHHS Council Knox InfoLink Knox InfoLink Harrisons Red Cross St Johns Red Cross DPJR VCC EACH Manningham Red Cross As above DHHS VicPol AV and St Doncare As above plus As above and Local Doncare and Doncare Uniting Care Red Cross Johns EACH - Youth Rotary and Laws at Council Carenet MCC and Rotary Harrison some of our Vantage Point Salvo Care Eastern relief network Living and Community providers Learning at Ajani Housing Eastern LINC St Vincent De Pauls Salvation Army
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Relief and Recovery Providers and Services by Local Government Area continued
LGA Food & Water Non-food items Emergency Shelter Reconnecting First Aid Psycho-social Financial Animal Families, etc Primary support assistance Welfare Care Maroondah Red Cross Salvation Army DHHS VicPol AV DHHS DHHS Council St Vincent De Wesley Red Cross St Johns Red Cross Sal Army Animal Aid Paul Harrisons VCC EACH
Monash Red Cross Salvation Army DHHS Red Cross AV VCCEM DHHS St Johns Services Aust
Whitehorse Whitehorse Eastern Whitehorse City VicPol St John EACH Salvation Whitehorse City
Churches Care Emergency Relief Council Emergency Red Cross Ambulance Carrington Health Army Council
Inc Network Relief Centres Box Hill Eastern Domestic Animal Aid through Council Meals Community Housing Hospital Violence Service a service contract function Ltd through a regional Local (EDVOS) RSPCA Local MOU (HPCM medical Family Access Local Veterinary supermarkets DM18/25798) practitioners Network (FAN) Services Local cafes and SalvoCare Eastern Uniting Care East restaurants St Kilda Crisis Centre Burwood Local motels and Counselling Centre hostels
Yarra Red Cross TSA DHHS VicPol AV, St Red Cross DHHS, DJPR Ranges various local various local Uniting Harrisons Red Cross Johns VCC-EM TSA, RSPCA providers providers Anchor Eastern DHHS, TSA Centrelink, Animal Aid, Council Council Metro various local Help for Wildlife, Primary providers Wildlife Victoria Health Network
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Attachment H: Municipal Emergency Management Plan approval schedule
This table provides an overview of the dates that Municipal Emergency Management Plans (MEMPs) within the Eastern Metro Region were last reviewed and when they are due for their next review. All MEMPs will approved by the REMPC during this plan’s own review horizon.
Municipality Date of most recent approval Date of next approval (from earliest to most recent) Knox 7 Apr 2019 7 Apr 2022 Manningham 29 Jul 2019 29 Jul 2022 Yarra Ranges 10 Mar 2020 10 Mar 2023 Maroondah 21 Apr 2020 21 Apr 2023 Monash 6 Jun 2020 6 Jun 2023 Whitehorse 7 Jul 2020 7 Jul 2023 Boroondara 17 Jul 2020 17 Jul 2023
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Attachment I: Map - Regional Overview
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Attachment J: Map of Inner Local Government Areas
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Attachment K: Map of Shire of Yarra Ranges
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