May 2018

To be reviewed no later than May 2023

GEORGES RIVER AND

WORONORA RIVER VALLEY FLOOD EMERGENCY SUB

PLAN

A Sub Plan of the Sydney Metropolitan and South West Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Plans (EMPLAN)

AUTHORISATION

This River Basin Flood Emergency Sub Plan is a sub plan of the Regional Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN). It has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the State Emergency Service Act 1989 (NSW) and is authorised by the Region Emergency Management Committee in accordance with the provisions of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (NSW).

Recommended

Approved

Approved

VERSION HISTORY

The following table lists all previously endorsed versions of this plan.

Plan Endorsed

Bankstown City Flood Emergency Sub Plan November 2015 Campbelltown Flood Emergency Sub Plan June 2015 Fairfield City Local Flood Plan April 2016 Liverpool City Flood Emergency Sub Plan November 2015 Sutherland Shire Flood Emergency Sub Plan September 2013

AMENDMENT LIST

Proposals for amendment to this plan are to be forwarded to:

Sydney Southern Region Controller NSW State Emergency Service PO Box M54 Manahan NSW 2200

Amendments promulgated are to be certified below when entered.

Amendment Description Updated by Date Number

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COPYRIGHT

This plan is under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licensing conditions (Creative Commons Australia - About Licences) the Creative Commons licensing system, unless otherwise indicated. Copyright for this plan resides with the State of New South Wales, NSW State Emergency Service unless otherwise indicated.

DISTRIBUTION LIST

This sub plan is distributed and maintained through the Region Emergency Management Committee and NSW State Emergency Service and FloodSafe Websites in electronic format.

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CONTENTS

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PURPOSE ...... 1 1.2 Authority ...... 1 1.3 Area Covered by the Plan ...... 1 1.4 Out of Scope ...... 1 1.5 Floods and Their Potential Impacts ...... 1 1.6 Relationships between Plans ...... 2 1.7 Maintenance of this Plan ...... 2 PART 2 - RESPONSIBILITIES ...... 3 2.1 Introduction ...... 3 2.2 NSW SES Sydney Southern Region ...... 3 2.3 NSW SES Incident Controller ...... 4 2.4 NSW SES local/Unit controllers...... 6 2.5 NSW SES Units ...... 7 2.6 South West Metropolitan and Sydney Metropolitan Region Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON) ...... 8 2.7 Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON)/s for the respective area of operations ...... 8 2.8 Councils listed in section 1.3 ...... 9 2.9 Community Members within THE Georges River Valley ...... 10 2.10 Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area ...... 11 2.11 Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (The Bureau) ...... 11 2.12 Caravan Park Proprietor(s) ...... 12 2.13 Child Care Centres and Preschools ...... 13 2.14 Energy and Utility Services Functional Area ...... 13 2.15 Local utility service distribution providers (electricity, gas, water, waste water) ...... 14 2.16 Engineering Services Functional Area ...... 14 2.17 Environmental Services Functional Area ...... 15 2.18 Fire and Rescue NSW ...... 15 2.19 Health Services Functional Area ...... 16 2.20 Marine Rescue NSW ...... 16 2.21 NSW Ambulance ...... 17 2.22 NSW Association of independent Schools, NSW Department of Education & Communities and Catholic Schools Diocese ...... 17 2.23 NSW Office of Environment and Heritage ...... 18 2.24 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service ...... 18 2.25 Water NSw ...... 19 2.26 NSW Police Force ...... 19 2.27 NSW Rural Fire Service ...... 20 2.28 NSW Transport Management Centre ...... 20 2.29 NSW TrainS/ Sydney Trains...... 21 2.30 NSW Volunteer Rescue Association...... 21 2.31 Owners of Prescribed Dams in Georges River ...... 21 2.32 Public Information Services Functional Area ...... 22 2.33 NSW Roads and Maritime Services ...... 22 2.34 Service and Sporting Clubs ...... 23 2.35 Surf Life Saving NSW ...... 23

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2.36 Telecommunication Services Functional Area ...... 23 2.37 Transport Services Functional Area ...... 24 2.38 Welfare Services Functional Area ...... 24 PART 3 - MITIGATING FLOODING AND MANAGING FLOODPLAINS ...... 25 3.1 General ...... 25 3.2 Managing Floodplains ...... 25 PART 4 - PREPARING FOR FLOODS ...... 26 4.1 Introduction ...... 26 4.2 Flood Intelligence ...... 26 4.3 Planning ...... 27 4.4 Training and Equipment ...... 28 4.5 Total Warning Systems ...... 28 4.6 Community Disaster Resilience ...... 28 PART 5 - RESPONSE CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS...... 30 5.1 Background ...... 30 5.2 Operational Objectives ...... 30 5.3 Operational Strategies ...... 30 5.4 Principles of Operations ...... 31 5.5 Start of Response Operations ...... 32 5.6 End of Response Operations...... 32 5.7 Control and Coordination ...... 33 5.8 Operations Command and Incident Control Centres ...... 33 5.9 Liaison ...... 33 5.10 Providing Public Information ...... 34 5.11 Warnings and information ...... 35 5.12 Media ...... 38 5.13 Collating Situational Information ...... 38 5.14 Reconnaissance ...... 40 5.15 Resource Planning ...... 40 5.16 Information collection and Intelligence development ...... 40 5.17 Logistics ...... 41 5.18 Assistance for Animals ...... 42 5.19 Functional Areas ...... 42 5.20 Emergency Services ...... 42 5.21 Disaster Victim Identification and Registration ...... 43 5.22 Stranded Travellers ...... 43 5.23 Defence Assistance ...... 44 5.24 Air Operations ...... 44 5.25 Road and Traffic Control ...... 45 5.26 Preliminary Deployments ...... 46 5.27 Communications ...... 46 5.28 Managing Evacuation Operations ...... 47 5.29 Decision to Evacuate ...... 47 5.30 Mobilisation ...... 48 5.31 Evacuation Warning and Order Delivery ...... 48 5.32 Withdrawal ...... 50 5.33 Shelter ...... 53

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5.34 All Clear and Return ...... 53 5.35 Managing Property Protection Operations ...... 55 5.36 Resupply of Isolated Communities and Properties ...... 55 5.37 Re-establishment of Access ...... 56 5.38 Flood Rescue Operations ...... 57 5.39 After Action Reviews and Debreifs ...... 58 PART 6 - RECOVERY...... 59 6.1 Concept of Recovery Operations ...... 59 6.2 Recovery Coordination at the River Basin Level ...... 59 MAP 1 - RIVER BASIN ...... 61 ATTACHMENT A – RESUPPLY FLOWCHART ...... 62 ATTACHMENT B – DAM FAILURE ARRANGEMENTS ...... 63

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ABBREVIATIONS

Refer to the NSW State Flood Plan for a complete list of abbreviations used throughout this plan and within NSW SES Flood Plans.

Some frequently used abbreviations used within this plan are listed below for ease of reference.

AIIMS Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System

AEP Annual Exceedance Probability

AHD Australian Height Datum

AWRC Australian Water Resources Council

Bureau Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Council Local Government Council

DSEP Dam Safety Emergency Plan

DVR Disaster Victim Registration

EMPLAN Emergency Management Plan

EOC Emergency Operations Centre

FRNSW Fire and Rescue NSW

GIS Geographic Information System

GRN Government Radio Network

IAP Incident Action Plan

ICC Incident Control Centre

LEMC Local Emergency Management Committee

LEOCON Local Emergency Operations Controller

LGA Local Government Area

LO Liaison Officer

MHL Manly Hydraulics Laboratory

NOW NSW Office of Water

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NSW SES New South Wales State Emergency Service

NSW VRA New South Wales Volunteer Rescue Association Inc.

OCC Operations Command Centre

OEH Office of Environment and Heritage

PIIC Public Information and Inquiry Centre

PMF Probable Maximum Flood

PMP Probable Maximum Precipitation

PMR Private Mobile Radio

PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network

REMC Regional Emergency Management Committee

REOC Regional Emergency Operations Centre

REOCON Regional Emergency Operations Controller

RMS Roads and Maritime Services

ROC Region Operations Controller

ROCC Region Operations Command Centre

SDOC State Duty Operations Controller

SEMC State Emergency Management Committee

SEOC State Emergency Operations Centre

SEOCON State Emergency Operations Controller

SERCON State Emergency Recovery Controller

SEWS Standard Emergency Warning Signal

TMC Transport Management Centre

UHF Ultra High Frequency

WICEN Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network

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GLOSSARY

Refer to the NSW State Flood Plan for a complete glossary of terminology used throughout this plan and within NSW SES Flood Plans (emergency.nsw.gov.au/publications and www.floodsafe.com.au).

Common emergency service terminology can also be found within the Australian Emergency Management Glossary located at https://www.aidr.org.au/media/1430/manual-3- australian-emergency-management-glossary.pdf

Some specific terms frequently used within this plan are listed below for ease of reference.

All Clear. An advice that danger to life and property has passed. All clear is issued following assessment of the flood evacuation area to ensure that it is safe for people to return.

Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP). The chance of a flood of a given or larger size occurring in any one year, usually expressed as a percentage. For example if a peak height of 5.0 metres at a specified gauge has an AEP of 5%, it means that there is a 5% chance (i.e. one chance in 20) of such a height being reached or exceeded there in any one year. This value corresponds to the Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) which is the long-term average number of years between the occurrence of a flood as big as or larger than the selected event. For example, a flood with a peak height as great as or greater than the 20 year ARI flood event at a gauge will occur, on average, once every 20 years. In any particular 20-year period there may be more than one such flood or none at all.

Australian Height Datum (AHD). A common national surface level datum approximately corresponding to mean sea level.

Average Recurrence Interval (ARI). The long-term average number of years between the occurrence of a flood as big as or larger than, the selected event. For example, floods reaching a height as great as, or greater than, the 20 year ARI flood event will occur on average once every 20 years.

Combat Agency. Means the agency identified in the State EMPLAN as the agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to a particular emergency.

Concept of Operations. The Controller’s general idea or notion, given the anticipated problems of the effects of the event, of how the emergency response and recovery operation is to be conducted. It is the statement of the Controller’s operational intentions and may be expressed in terms of stages/ phases of the emergency operation (1).

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Dam Safety Emergency Plan (DSEP). A DSEP outlines the required actions of owners and their personnel at dams in response to a range of possible emergency situations. The NSW Dam Safety Committee requires a quality controlled DSEP, with associated dam break warning procedures, to be prepared for prescribed dams where persons may be at risk downstream if the dam were to fail.

Design Flood (or flood standard). A flood of specified magnitude that is adopted for planning purposes. Selections should be based on an understanding of flood behaviour and the associated flood risk, and take account of social, economic and environmental considerations. There may be several design floods for an individual area.

Emergency Alert. A national telephony based alerting system available for use by emergency service agencies to send SMS and voice messages to landlines and/or mobile telephones (by billing address) in times of emergency.

Essential Utilities. Those services that are considered essential to public safety and organised communities. Such services include electricity, gas, water, sewerage, sanitation, telecommunications, fuel supply and waste collection.

Evacuation. The temporary movement of people from a dangerous or potentially dangerous place to a safe location, and their eventual return. It is a risk management strategy which uses distance to separate people from the danger created by the hazard.

Evacuation Centre. A centre set up to meet the immediate needs of disaster affected persons following evacuation from an emergency situation. This may include travellers (commuters and tourists), who are unable to complete their journey (2).

Evacuation Order. Notification to the community, authorised by the NSW SES, when the intent of an Incident Controller is to instruct a community to immediately evacuate in response to an imminent threat.

Evacuation Warning. Notification to the community, authorised by the NSW SES, when the intent of an Incident Controller is to warn a community of the need to prepare for a possible evacuation.

Extreme Flood. A flood of exceptional severity and therefore of low probability. The AEP will be in the range from 1:1,500 up to 1:100,000 or lower i.e. up to the PMF.

Flood Bulletin. Issued by NSW SES to inform people about what is expected to happen during flooding. NSW SES Flood Bulletins contain information on likely flood consequences and what actions are required to protect persons and property.

Flood Intelligence. The product of collecting, collating, analysing and interpreting flood- related data to produce meaningful information (intelligence) to allow for the timely preparation, planning and warning for and response to a flood. May 2018 Georges River and Woronora River Valley Flood Emergency Sub Plan Page | x

Flood Warning. A Flood Warning is a gauge specific forecast of actual or imminent flooding. Flood Warnings specify the river valley, the locations expected to be flooded, the likely severity of flooding and when it will occur.

Flood Watch. A Flood Watch is a notification of the potential for a flood to occur as a result of a developing weather situation and consists of short generalised statements about the developing weather including forecast rainfall totals, description of catchment conditions and indicates streams at risk. The Bureau will also attempt to estimate the magnitude of likely flooding in terms of the adopted flood classifications. Flood Watches are normally issued 24 to 36 hours in advance of likely flooding. Flood watches are issued on a catchment wide basis.

Incident Controller. The individual responsible for the management of all incident control activities across a whole incident.

Liaison Officer. In this plan means a person, nominated or appointed by an organisation or functional area, to represent that organisation or functional area at a control centre, emergency operations centre, coordination centre or site control point, a liaison officer maintains communications with and conveys directions/requests to their organisation or functional area, and provides advice on the status, capabilities, actions and requirements of their organisation or functional area (NSW EMPLAN, 2012).

Local Flooding. Inundation by local runoff rather than overbank discharge from a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam.

Major Evacuation Centre. Large scale evacuation centre that requires multiagency co- ordination and response to deliver basic services to individuals and their companion animals affected by an emergency. Major evacuation centres are established to provide emergency accommodation when the scale and duration of the emergency are beyond the capability and capacity of the established local /regional emergency management arrangements for evacuation centres (9).

Major Flooding. Flooding which causes inundation of extensive rural areas, with properties, villages and towns isolated and/or appreciable urban areas flooded. Evacuation of flood affected areas may be required. Utility services may be impacted.

Minor Flooding. Flooding which causes inconvenience. Low-lying areas next to watercourses are inundated. Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerged. In urban areas inundation may affect some backyards and buildings below the floor level as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. In rural areas removal of stock and equipment may be required.

Moderate Flooding. Flooding which inundates low-lying areas, requiring removal of stock and/or evacuation of some houses. Main traffic routes may be flooded. In addition

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to the effects of minor flooding, the area of inundation is more substantial. Main traffic routes may be affected. Some buildings may be affected above the floor level. Evacuation of flood affected areas may be required. In rural areas removal of stock is required.

Operations Controller. The individual commanding an operational area. An Operations Command may be established for an area with multiple incident management teams functioning, and can cross local government and NSW SES Region boundaries.

Probable Maximum Flood (PMF). The largest flood that could conceivably occur at a particular location, usually estimated from probable maximum precipitation. The PMF defines the extent of flood liable land, that is, the floodplain. It is difficult to define a meaningful Annual Exceedance Probability for the PMF, but it is commonly assumed to be of the order of 104 to 107 (i.e. once in 10,000 to 10,000,000 years).

Resupply. The transport of supplies to isolated properties and/or communities during prolonged flood events.

Riverine Flooding. Inundation of normally dry land occurring when water overflows the natural or artificial banks of a stream, river, estuary, lake or dam. Riverine flooding generally excludes watercourses constructed with pipes or artificial channels considered as stormwater channels.

Sector. The organisational level having responsibility for operations with a defined area or having a specific functional responsibility.

Sustainability Height. The flood height for an area (particularly a flood island) above which it would be too difficult to maintain the isolated population because of the failure of essential services such as water, sewer and power or because the area would be too small for the number of people in the area.

Vulnerable Facilities. In this plan include hospitals, nursing homes, aged, disability and other residential care facilities, schools, child care centres and correctional facilities. These facilities require advanced warning and assistance during flood emergencies due to the vulnerability and mobility requirements of their occupants.

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PART 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

1.1.1 The arrangements described in this Plan cover prevention and preparedness measures, the conduct of flood operations and the transition to recovery for floods in the Georges River.

1.2 AUTHORITY

1.2.1 This Plan is a subplan to the South West Metropolitan and Sydney Metropolitan Emergency Management Plans (EMPLAN). It is also a sub-plan to the NSW SES State Flood Plan and is issued under the authority of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (SERM Act 1989) and the State Emergency Service Act 1989 (SES Act 1989). It has been endorsed by the South West Metropolitan and Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC).

1.3 AREA COVERED BY THE PLAN

1.3.1 The area covered by this Plan incorporates the following parts of the Local Government Areas that are within the Georges River Valley, shown in Map 1: a. City of Canterbury Bankstown b. Campbelltown City c. Fairfield City d. Georges River City e. Liverpool City f. Sutherland Shire 1.3.2 The area covered by this plan and its principal rivers and tributaries are shown in Map 1.

1.4 OUT OF SCOPE

1.4.1 This plan is based on existing information publically available at the time of writing. Planned and future development beyond current levels are not covered by this plan. Consultation with the NSW SES and modification to this plan will be required to account for future population increases and development within the area.

1.5 FLOODS AND THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACTS

1.5.1 A description of the flood threat and potential impacts of flooding is presented in Volume 2 of this Plan.

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1.6 RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PLANS

1.6.1 The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and other agencies with responsibilities listed in this plan may prepare supporting plans in accordance with the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (NSW). 1.6.2 Supporting plans are available on the Emergency NSW website. 1.6.3 The general arrangements for managing floods in NSW are outlined within the NSW State Flood Plan, which should be read in conjunction with this plan.

1.7 MAINTENANCE OF THIS PLAN

1.7.1 The NSW SES Sydney Southern Region will maintain the currency of this plan by: a. Ensuring that all agencies organisations and officers mentioned in it are aware of their roles and responsibilities. b. Conducting exercises to test arrangements. c. Reviewing the contents of the plan:  After each flood operation.  When land use significantly increases the population at risk.  When there are changes which alter agreed plan arrangements. 1.7.2 In any event, the plan is to be reviewed no less frequently than every five years.

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PART 2 - RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 INTRODUCTION

2.1.1 The general responsibilities of emergency service organisations and supporting services (including functional areas) are set out in the State, Regional and Local EMPLANs. 2.1.2 The NSW SES role for floods is outlined within the NSW State Flood Plan covering the areas of Prevention, Preparedness, Response and transition to Recovery. 2.1.3 The NSW SES is the designated combat agency for dealing with floods. This includes protecting persons from dangers to their safety and health, and to protect property from destruction or damage, arising from floods (SES Act, 1989 section 8). 2.1.4 Specific responsibilities relating to emergency management of flooding in the Georges River are expanded upon in the following paragraphs. The extent of their implementation will depend on the severity of the flooding. Specific responsibilities of agencies and organisations as they relate to tsunami are detailed in the State Tsunami Emergency Sub Plan.

2.2 NSW SES SYDNEY SOUTHERN REGION

Prevention 2.2.1 Contribute to the deliberations of Floodplain Risk Management Committees established by the respective councils covered by this plan. 2.2.2 Provide emergency management advice in consultation with NSW SES State Headquarters and in accordance with the Floodplain Development Manual (3) to Floodplain Risk Management Committees established by these Councils as appropriate. Preparedness 2.2.3 Contribute to the identification of flood problems within the Georges River Valley, specifically in relation to emergency management matters including warning, evacuation, rescue and resupply functions. 2.2.4 Lead the development, maintenance and exercising of this plan. 2.2.5 Prepare, coordinate and deliver community engagement and capacity building programs to assist communities covered by this plan, in building resilience to floods. 2.2.6 Ensure correspondence relating to flood gauges and warning systems is provided to the NSW SES State Headquarters for consultation with the Flood Warning Consultative Committee. 2.2.7 Maintain an Operations Command Centre/Incident Control Centre in accordance with the NSW SES policies and procedures.

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2.2.8 Contribute to the development and maintenance of intelligence systems in relation to flooding, in consultation with the respective NSW SES Units and State Headquarters. 2.2.9 Ensure that NSW SES personnel are appropriately trained and equipped to undertake operations in accordance with current policy. 2.2.10 Ensure that appropriate agencies, supporting services and other stakeholders are aware of this plan and future amendments. 2.2.11 Coordinate the development and maintenance of Standing Operating Procedures at Region and Unit Headquarters. 2.2.12 Coordinate operational readiness reviews. 2.2.13 Provide input to Dam Safety Emergency Plans and the Dam Failure Alert defining conditions, in consultation with NSW SES State Headquarters. Response 2.2.14 Support the appointed NSW SES Incident Controller/s and NSW SES Operations Controller. Recovery 2.2.15 Coordinate the conduct of After Action Reviews and debriefs of the response operation as soon as possible after the flooding has abated in support of the Incident Controller. 2.2.16 Work with NSW SES State Headquarters to review and update flood intelligence systems following flood operations.

2.3 NSW SES INCIDENT CONTROLLER

Response 2.3.1 Prepare Incident Action Plans (IAP) concepts of operation and pre-incident plans as required. 2.3.2 Control flood and storm response operations in the area covered by this plan in accordance with the NSW State Flood Plan, NSW State Storm Plan and the NSW SES Incident Management Framework. This includes: a. Directing the activities of the NSW SES units operating within the respective area of operations. b. Coordination of flood rescue operations. c. Coordinate the evacuation and immediate welfare of people at risk. d. Coordinate reconnaissance and flood response impact/damage assessments of areas affected by floods. e. Coordinate the provision of emergency food and medical supplies to isolated people and/or communities. f. Coordinate operations to assist the community to protect property where time and resources permit. This may include:

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 Arranging resources for sandbagging operations.  Lifting or moving household furniture.  Lifting or moving commercial stock and equipment. g. Coordinate the provision of information services in relation to:  Flood heights and flood behaviour.  Road conditions and closures.  Advice on methods of limiting property damage.  NSW SES flood warning and evacuation products to at risk communities within the area covered by this plan. h. Coordinating the activities of supporting agencies and organisations and ensuring that liaison is established with them. i. Provide a liaison officer to the designated Emergency Operations Centre/s as required. j. Establish a Joint Media Information Centre as required. k. Assist the respective councils to organise temporary repairs or improvements to levees. l. Where possible, arrange for support (for example, accommodation and meals) for emergency service organisation members and volunteers assisting them. m. Ensure that the managers of caravan parks are advised of flood warnings and the details of any evacuation order. n. If NSW SES resources are available, assist the NSW Police Force, RMS and Council with road closure and traffic control operations. o. Submit Situation Reports to the NSW SES Operations Command Centre and agencies assisting within the area of operations. These should contain information on:  Road conditions and closures.  Current flood behaviour.  Current operational activities.  Likely future flood behaviour.  Likely future operational activities.  Probable resource needs. 2.3.3 Provide situational awareness briefings incorporating flood operations, relevant flood and dam failure warnings and the activities of supporting agencies to the NSW SES Operations Controller, all agencies listed under this Plan and to all Local/Region/State level supporting operations centres and relevant members of parliament. 2.3.4 Request the provision of resources not available within the respective Incident Controllers area of operations, as required.

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2.3.5 Forward requests for use of Emergency Alert to the NSW SES State Operations Centre 2.3.6 Establish and maintain close liaison with the Bureau and Local Controllers conveying local advice on river height predictions. 2.3.7 Coordinate the collection of flood intelligence and post impact data and make it available to recovery agencies. 2.3.8 Provide specialist advice in regard to flood intelligence. 2.3.9 Coordinate response to indications of potential dam failure for all prescribed dams with the area covered by this plan when Dam Failure Warning Systems are activated: a. Confirm receipt of messages with the NSW SES State Operations Centre and that appropriate support is being arranged. b. Notify NSW SES Operations Controller of the dam failure warning. c. Notify the relevant EOCON/s of the dam failure warning and confirm that the NSW SES is the combat agency. 2.3.10 Issue the 'All Clear' when it is safe for the evacuated community to return and response operations have been completed in consultation with the relevant EOCON/s. 2.3.11 Exercise financial delegations as described in current NSW SES policy and procedures. Recovery 2.3.12 Ensure that appropriate recovery arrangements are put in place in accordance with the State Flood Plan and State Recovery Plan. 2.3.13 Provide appropriate representation to the Recovery Committee for the duration of the response phase of an event and as agreed during the recovery phase.

2.4 NSW SES LOCAL/UNIT CONTROLLERS

2.4.1 The following responsibilities relate to the Local Controller’s respective area of operation only. Prevention 2.4.2 Participate in floodplain risk management initiatives organised by the respective Council. 2.4.3 Provide emergency management advice in consultation with NSW SES State and Region Headquarters and in accordance with the Floodplain Development Manual (3) to Floodplain Risk Management Committees established by these Councils as appropriate.

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Preparedness 2.4.4 Ensure the Incident Control Centre for their respective area of responsibility is maintained in accordance with current policy and procedures. 2.4.5 Ensure that NSW SES members are trained to undertake operations in accordance with current policy within their area of responsibility. 2.4.6 Coordinate the development and operation of a flood warning service for the community. 2.4.7 Coordinate a community engagement and capacity building program regarding local flood issues and associated risks to assist communities in building resilience to floods and storms. 2.4.8 Identify and monitor people and/or communities at risk of flooding. 2.4.9 Contribute to the development, maintenance and exercising of this plan. 2.4.10 Ensure that appropriate agencies, supporting services and other stakeholders are aware of amendments to this plan. 2.4.11 Provide specialist advice in regards to flood intelligence and plans. Response 2.4.12 Support the appointed NSW SES Incident Controller/s and NSW SES Operations Controller. 2.4.13 Exercise financial delegations relating to the use of emergency orders as described in current NSW SES policy and procedures. Recovery 2.4.14 Ensure that appropriate After Action Reviews are held after floods. 2.4.15 Provide appropriate representation to the recovery committee for the duration of the response phase of an event and as agreed during the recovery phase.

2.5 NSW SES UNITS

Preparedness 2.5.1 Assist with preparedness activities. 2.5.2 Undertake training in flood and storm response operations. Response 2.5.3 Carry out flood response tasks. These may include: a. The management of the NSW SES Incident Control and/or Command Centres b. Assist in the collection of flood information for the development of intelligence. c. Flood rescue. d. Evacuation.

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e. Providing immediate welfare for evacuated people. f. Delivery of warnings and information. g. Resupply. h. Levee monitoring. i. Sandbagging. j. Lifting and/or moving household furniture and commercial stock. k. Animal rescue. l. Assisting in repairing or improving levees. m. Assisting with road closure and traffic control operations. n. Assisting with emergency fodder supply operations as required

2.6 SOUTH WEST METROPOLITAN AND SYDNEY METROPOLITAN REGION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER (REOCON)

Response 2.6.1 Monitor flood operations. 2.6.2 Activate the Region Emergency Operations Centre if required. 2.6.3 Co-ordinate the establishment of Major Evacuation Centres where the scale and duration of the emergency are beyond the capability and capacity of the established local / regional evacuation centre arrangements. 2.6.4 If requested, coordinate support to the NSW SES and/or other agencies. Recovery 2.6.5 Coordinate assessments of the extent of damage if the response is still ongoing and a recovery operation is likely to be initiated. 2.6.6 Assist with the transition to recovery in accordance with the NSW Recovery Plan.

2.7 LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONTROLLER (LEOCON)/S FOR THE RESPECTIVE AREA OF OPERATIONS

Response 2.7.1 Monitor flood operations. 2.7.2 Activate the Local Emergency Operations Centre if required. 2.7.3 Request and coordinate support to the NSW SES if requested to do so.

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2.8 COUNCILS LISTED IN SECTION 1.3

Preparedness 2.8.1 Develop and implement floodplain risk management plans in accordance with the NSW Government’s Flood Prone Land Policy and the Floodplain Development Manual. 2.8.2 Establish and maintain floodplain risk management committees and ensure that key agencies are represented on such committees. 2.8.3 Provide levee studies, flood studies, floodplain management studies to the NSW SES. 2.8.4 Maintain Dam Safety Emergency Plans for all prescribed dams in the area covered by this plan and provide copies to the NSW SES. 2.8.5 Provide information on the consequences of dam failure to the NSW SES for incorporation into planning and flood intelligence. 2.8.6 Maintain a plant and equipment resource list for the respective council area. 2.8.7 Work with NSW SES on the development and implementation of a community engagement and capacity building program. Response 2.8.8 At the request of the NSW SES Incident Controller, deploy personnel and resources for flood related activities in line with their respective staff training and capability. 2.8.9 Close and reopen council roads (and other roads nominated by agreement with the RMS) and advise the NSW SES Incident Controller and the NSW Police Force. 2.8.10 Provide information on the status of roads. 2.8.11 Provide filled sandbags to urban and village areas in which flooding is expected. 2.8.12 Assist with the removal of caravans from caravan parks. 2.8.13 Provide back-up radio communications. 2.8.14 In the event of evacuations, assist with making facilities available for the domestic pets and companion animals of evacuees in support of the Animal and Agricultural Services Functional Area 2.8.15 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.8.16 Provide for the management of health hazards associated with flooding. This includes removing debris and waste. 2.8.17 Ensure premises are fit and safe for reoccupation and assess any need for demolition. 2.8.18 Arrange for suitable facilities for the storage of evacuees' furniture as required.

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2.9 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITHIN THE GEORGES RIVER VALLEY

2.9.1 Prepare now, know how to respond appropriately and recover effectively to help your community become more resilient, including: Preparedness 2.9.2 Know your risk: Understand the potential risks and impact of flooding at home, work and places you visit. The flood risk is so severe in parts of the Georges River that in a major flood, evacuation will be the only safe option for people in these areas. 2.9.3 Know where to go: Including which evacuation route you will take and where you will stay in case you are flood affected. 2.9.4 Get your home ready: Prepare homes and property to reduce the impact of flooding. Have an emergency kit and essential supplies. 2.9.5 Plan for what you will do: Develop home emergency plans to identify who to contact, what to do, where to go and when. Share plans and practice them with family, friends, pets and neighbours. 2.9.6 Businesses develop continuity plans to prepare, minimise losses and reinstate essential services as soon as possible after a flood. 2.9.7 Be informed: Know where to find risk information, understand warnings, triggers and the safest actions to take in a flood. 2.9.8 Be involved: Work with local Emergency Services, local leaders, councils and other stakeholders to anticipate and manage the flood emergencies that could affect your community. Response 2.9.9 Be aware: Monitor emergency warnings and broadcasts, and follow the advice of emergency services. 2.9.10 Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater: The major cause of death during floods is due to people entering floodwater. 2.9.11 Look out for each other: Share information with family, friends and neighbours and help those that may need assistance. 2.9.12 Leave flood affected areas early: If you are at risk of flooding or are advised by emergency services to evacuate. Recovery 2.9.13 Stay clear of flood affected areas: Until you are advised by emergency services that it is safe to enter. 2.9.14 Ensure your home is safe before entering: Check for structural damage and potential risk of electrocution. 2.9.15 Manage ongoing health, safety and hygiene: Ensure personal items, food and water in contact with floodwater are not consumed and protective clothing is worn while cleaning.

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2.9.16 Understand where and how to get support and assistance with your recovery. 2.9.17 Check the NSW SES website for further information on what to do before, during and after a flood.

2.10 AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Preparedness 2.10.1 Assist NSW SES in the area of operation of this plan to build awareness for emergency prevention and preparedness by primary producers, animal holding establishments and the community. Response 2.10.2 Activate the Agriculture and Animal Services Area Functional Area Supporting Plan if required. 2.10.3 Coordinate support to primary producers, animal holding establishments, evacuees and the community in emergencies, including rescue, evacuation and emergency care of animals in accordance with the NSW State Flood Plan. 2.10.4 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.10.5 Support recovery arrangements in accordance with the State Recovery Plan.

2.11 AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY (THE BUREAU)

Preparedness 2.11.1 Maintain, coordinate and deliver flood warning systems as detailed in the NSW State Flood Plan. Response 2.11.2 Within the current capabilities of meteorological prediction and hydrologic forecasting, provide detailed briefings to the NSW SES, and other relevant parties on impending Georges River flood events. 2.11.3 Formulate, issue and publish official forecasts and warnings for: a. Georges River (Flood Watch). b. Key locations on rivers and creeks in the Georges River incorporating height-time predictions (Flood Warnings). c. Severe weather warnings when flash flooding is likely to occur. 2.11.4 Include NSW SES safety messages within warnings.

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2.12 CARAVAN PARK PROPRIETOR(S)

Preparedness 2.12.1 Prepare a flood emergency plan for the Caravan Park. 2.12.2 Ensure that owners and occupiers movable dwellings are aware that the caravan park is flood liable by: a. Providing a written notice to occupiers taking up residence. The notice will indicate that the caravan park is liable to flooding and designate the location of flood liable land within the park. b. Displaying this notice and the emergency arrangements for the Caravan Park prominently in the park. 2.12.3 Ensure that owners and occupiers of movable dwellings are aware that if they are expecting to be absent for extended periods, they should: a. Provide the manager of the caravan park with a contact address and telephone number in case of an emergency. b. Leave any movable dwelling in a condition allowing it to be relocated in an emergency (i.e.: should ensure that the wheels, axles and draw bar of the caravans are not removed, and are maintained in proper working order) (4). 2.12.4 Ensure that occupiers are informed of Flood Information. Occupiers should be advised to: a. Ensure that they have spare batteries for their radios. b. Listen to a local radio station for updated flood information. c. Prepare for evacuation and movable dwelling relocation. 2.12.5 Ensure that owners and occupiers of caravans are aware of what they must do to facilitate evacuation and movable dwelling relocation when flooding occurs. Response 2.12.6 Coordinate the evacuation of people and the relocation of movable dwellings when floods are rising and their return when flood waters have subsided. Movable dwellings will be relocated back to the caravan park(s) by owners or by vehicles and drivers arranged by the park managers. a. Secure any movable dwellings that are not able to be relocated to prevent floatation. b. Inform the NSW SES of the progress of evacuation and/or movable dwellings relocation operations and of any need for assistance in the conduct of these tasks.

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2.13 CHILD CARE CENTRES AND PRESCHOOLS

Preparedness 2.13.1 Childcare Centres are to be contacted by the NSW SES in the event of possible flooding or isolation where possible. 2.13.2 Develop and practice an evacuation plan including evacuation centre arrangements. Response 2.13.3 When notified the child care centres and preschools should: a. Liaise with the NSW SES and arrange for the early release of children whose travel arrangements are likely to be disrupted by flooding and/or road closures. b. Implement their respective evacuation plan in consultation with the NSW SES. c. Assist with coordinating the evacuation of their respective preschools and child care centres.

2.14 ENERGY AND UTILITY SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Preparedness 2.14.1 Assist NSW SES with the identification of infrastructure within the area of operations of this plan at risk of flood damage or secondary impacts of flooding for incorporation into NSW SES flood intelligence and planning. Response 2.14.2 Implement the Energy and Utility Services Functional Area Supporting Plan if required. 2.14.3 Coordinate Energy and Utility responses to flood events in accordance with the NSW State Flood Plan and State Storm Plan, including advice to the NSW SES on any need to disconnect services and assistance with advisory notices relating to hazards from utility services during flooding. 2.14.4 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. 2.14.5 Coordinate liaison between NSW SES, Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) and utility network operators. Recovery 2.14.6 Coordinate with utilities on restoration of services, including advisory notices relating to estimated time for restoration and mandatory safety checks prior to reconnection. Advise the NSW SES and the relevant recovery committee and coordinator of the timetable for restoration. 2.14.7 Participate in After Action Reviews.

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2.15 LOCAL UTILITY SERVICE DISTRIBUTION PROVIDERS (ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER, WASTE WATER)

Preparedness 2.15.1 Assist the NSW SES to identify infrastructure at risk of flooding for incorporation into planning and intelligence products. Response 2.15.2 Provide advice to the NSW SES Incident Controller of any need to disconnect power/gas/water/waste water supplies or of any timetable for reconnection. 2.15.3 Advise the NSW SES Incident Controller of any hazards from utility services during flooding. 2.15.4 Advise the public with regard to electrical hazards during flooding, and to the availability or otherwise of the electricity supply. 2.15.5 Clear or make safe any hazard caused by power lines or electricity distribution equipment. 2.15.6 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.15.7 Reconnect customers’ electrical/ gas/ water/waste water installations, when certified safe to do so and as conditions allow.

2.16 ENGINEERING SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Response 2.16.1 Activate the Engineering Services Functional Area Supporting Plan if required. 2.16.2 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. 2.16.3 Provide engineering advice regarding the integrity of damaged structures. 2.16.4 Assist the NSW SES with damage assessment. 2.16.5 Assist the NSW SES and councils with the assessment and operation of flood protection levees when requested. 2.16.6 Assist with property protection including the construction or repair of levees. Recovery 2.16.7 Assist the NSW SES with re-establishing access to properties and dwellings. 2.16.8 Coordinate the restoration of critical public facilities. 2.16.9 Establish Recovery Centres by the procurement and fit-out of suitable properties when requested by the Recovery Coordinator.

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2.16.10 Provide support as required to flood recovery in accordance with the State Recovery Plan.

2.17 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Response 2.17.1 Implement the Environmental Services Functional Area (Enviroplan) Supporting Plan if required. 2.17.2 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.17.3 Provide support as required to flood recovery in accordance with the State Recovery Plan.

2.18 FIRE AND RESCUE NSW

Preparedness 2.18.1 Identify and notify the NSW SES of any locations at risk of fire within the area of operations of this plan or hazardous materials that pose a significant threat to surrounding populations due to the impact of a flood for incorporation into NSW SES intelligence and planning products. Response 2.18.2 Maintain legislated responsibility for fire, within designated Fire Districts (5) and for hazardous materials incidents. 2.18.3 The FRNSW Controller will assess the capability of FRNSW to assist NSW SES in the following tasks: a. Provision of Land Based (Level 1) and In Water (Level 3) Flood Rescue Operators as required. b. With the warning and/or evacuation of at risk communities. c. With the monitoring/reconnaissance of flood prone areas. d. With the resupply of isolated communities and/or properties. e. Provide resources for pumping flood water out of buildings and from low- lying areas. f. Decontamination of NSW SES Flood Rescue Operators as required. g. Coordinate the deployment of fire resources to communities within NSW Fire Districts if access is expected to be lost, in consultation with the NSW SES. h. Clean-up operations, including the hosing out of flood affected properties. i. Where rescue accredited, maintain rescue coverage during flood emergencies.

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2.18.4 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.18.5 Provide support as required to flood recovery in accordance with the State Recovery Plan.

2.19 HEALTH SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Preparedness 2.19.1 Ensure that appropriate business continuity plans are developed for essential health infrastructure and are activated during floods. Response 2.19.2 Activate the NSW Healthplan and any relevant supporting plans if required. 2.19.3 Provide medical support to the NSW SES. 2.19.4 Establish health surveillance in affected areas. 2.19.5 Assess potential public health risks that either acutely endanger the health of human populations or are thought to have longer term consequences. 2.19.6 Provide environmental health advice. 2.19.7 Provide public health warnings and advice to affected communities. 2.19.8 Provide psychological counselling support to the community and emergency response workers impacted. 2.19.9 Assist the NSW SES with the warning and coordination of evacuation of public hospitals, private hospitals and residential aged care facilities. 2.19.10 Undertake vulnerable persons assessment for mental health and drug and alcohol dependant persons, dialysis, community health clients and oxygen dependant persons in the community, known to the health service. 2.19.11 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.19.12 Provide support as required to flood recovery in accordance with the State Recovery Plan.

2.20 MARINE RESCUE NSW

Response 2.20.1 When requested by NSW SES, assist in flood operations when training and equipment are available and suitable including assistance with: a. Warning and/or evacuation of at risk communities. b. Provision of marine rescue vessels.

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c. The transportation of emergency service staff and equipment. d. Support NSW Ambulance with medical personnel and patient transport. e. Resupply operations. f. Flood rescue operations. 2.20.2 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required.

2.21 NSW AMBULANCE

Response 2.21.1 Activate NSW AMPLAN if required. 2.21.2 Assist the NSW SES with the flood warning, response and rescue operations, in particular elderly and/or infirm people, where accredited units are available. 2.21.3 Provision of In Water (Level 3) Flood Rescue Operators as required. 2.21.4 Deploy ambulance resources to appropriate locations if access is expected to be lost. 2.21.5 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required.

2.22 NSW ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & COMMUNITIES AND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DIOCESE

Preparedness 2.22.1 Liaise with the NSW SES and coordinate the early release of students whose travel arrangements are likely to be disrupted by flooding and/or road closures (or where required, for students to be moved to a suitable location). 2.22.2 Ensure that evacuation plans for flood liable schools have arrangements for flooding. 2.22.3 Assist NSW SES with community engagement and capacity building programs. Response 2.22.4 Assist with the coordination of the evacuation of schools and the immediate welfare of students until returned to the appropriate carer. 2.22.5 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. 2.22.6 Pass information to school bus drivers/companies and/or school principals on expected or actual impacts of flooding. 2.22.7 Provide space in schools for evacuation centres where necessary.

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2.23 NSW OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE

Preparedness 2.23.1 Assist the NSW SES gain access to relevant studies regarding flooding, including Flood Studies and Floodplain Risk Management Studies undertaken under the Floodplain Management Program. 2.23.2 Assist the NSW SES in obtaining required outputs from Flood Studies and Floodplain Risk Management Studies under the Floodplain Management Program which assist the NSW SES in effective emergency response planning and incorporating information into the NSW Floods Database. 2.23.3 Assist the NSW SES in the exercising of this Flood Sub Plan. Response 2.23.4 Provide specialist advice to the NSW SES on flood related matters on: a. The identification of flood risks. 2.23.5 Collect and maintain flood data relating to flood heights, velocities and discharges in coastal areas of NSW. 2.23.6 Provide data to the Bureau and NSW SES real-time or near real-time access to river height gauges and height data for the development of official flood warnings (through a contract with MHL as described in the Response section of this plan). Recovery 2.23.7 Coordinate the collection of post event flood data, in consultation with the NSW SES.

2.24 NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Preparedness 2.24.1 Assist the NSW SES with identification of road infrastructure at risk of flooding. Response 2.24.2 Close and reopen NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service roads when affected by flood waters and advise the NSW SES of its status. 2.24.3 Facilitate the safe reliable access of emergency resources on NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service managed roads. 2.24.4 Manage traffic on NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service roads. 2.24.5 Assist the NSW SES with the communication of warnings and information provision to the public through variable message signs and other appropriate means.

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2.25 WATER NSW

Preparedness 2.25.1 Manage (with technical support from OEH) the approval process under the Water Act 1912 and Water Management Act 2000 for flood control works (earthworks, embankments and levees which can affect the distribution of floodwaters) including: a. Assessment and approval of flood control works (including flood mitigation works) in rural areas designated under the Acts. b. Use of floodplain management plans prepared by OEH in rural areas designated under the Acts to assess flood control work approvals. c. Giving the NSW SES access to relevant studies regarding flooding and studies supporting floodplain management plans prepared by OEH including flood studies, floodplain risk management studies and flood behaviour investigations. 2.25.2 Provide flow rating charts for river height gauges. Response 2.25.3 Collect and maintain flood data including data relating to flood heights, velocities and discharges. 2.25.4 Provide the Bureau and NSW SES real-time or near real-time access to river height gauges and height data for the development of official flood warnings.

2.26 NSW POLICE FORCE

Response 2.26.1 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. 2.26.2 When requested by NSW SES, when training and equipment are available and suitable, provide assistance with: a. Warning and/or evacuation of at risk communities. b. Monitoring / reconnaissance of flood prone areas. c. Provision of In Water (Level 3) Flood Rescue Operators as required. d. In conjunction with the NSW Transport Management Centre secure, control and keep clear evacuation routes: e. Coordinate security for supply lines, evacuated and damaged areas. f. Manage Disaster Victim Registration. g. Operate the Public Information and Inquiry Centre, if requested or otherwise needed during large scale events.

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2.27 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE

Preparedness 2.27.1 Identify and notify the NSW SES of any locations at risk of fire within the area of operations of this plan due to the impact of a flood for incorporation into NSW SES intelligence and planning products. Response 2.27.2 Maintain legislated responsibility for fire, within Rural Fire Districts. 2.27.3 The NSWRFS Controller will assess the capability of NSWRFS to assist NSW SES in the following tasks: a. With the warning and/or evacuation of at risk communities. b. With the monitoring/reconnaissance of flood prone areas. c. With the resupply of isolated communities and/or properties. d. Provide resources for pumping flood water out of buildings and from low- lying areas. e. Provision of Land Based (Level 1) and Over Water (Down the Wire) Flood Rescue Operators as required. f. Decontamination of NSW SES Flood Rescue Operators as required. g. Coordinate the deployment of fire resources to communities within NSW Rural Fire Districts if access is expected to be lost, in consultation with the NSW SES. h. Clean-up operations, including the hosing out of flood affected properties. 2.27.4 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.27.5 Provide support as required to flood recovery in accordance with the State Recovery Plan.

2.28 NSW TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT CENTRE

Response 2.28.1 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. 2.28.2 Provide information to the public on traffic conditions on regional evacuations routes. 2.28.3 In conjunction with the NSW Police Force, secure, control and keep clear evacuation routes.

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2.29 NSW TRAINS/ SYDNEY TRAINS

2.29.1 Operate NSW regional, interstate and urban rail services through the area of operations of this plan including the management of railway services affected by flood waters and advise the NSW SES. 2.29.2 Assist the NSW SES with the movement or evacuation of people during flood response operations if required. 2.29.3 Convey flood information and flood warnings to passengers and travellers on NSW and Sydney trains. 2.29.4 Cooperate with, and assist the NSW SES Incident Controller in relation to public safety during flood emergencies. 2.29.5 Cooperate with the Transport Services Functional Area.

2.30 NSW VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION

Response 2.30.1 Assist the NSW SES Incident Controller with flood operations, where equipment and training are suitable.

2.31 OWNERS OF PRESCRIBED DAMS IN GEORGES RIVER

Dam Owner

Campbelltown Link Area Basin 1 Campbelltown City Council Campbelltown North detention Basin Campbelltown City Council Smiths Creek Retention Basins (x3) Campbelltown City Council Abbotsbury Park Pond Western Sydney Parklands Trust Bosnjak Park US Basin Fairfield City Council Clear Paddock Creek Basins (x3) Fairfield City Council Comin Place Detention Basin Fairfield City Council Emerson Street Reserve Fairfield City Council Fairfield Golf Course Basin Fairfield City Council King Park Basin Fairfield City Council Mimosa Road Basin Fairfield City Council Stockdale Basin Fairfield City Council Banks Road Basin Liverpool City Council Cecil Park Basins (x2) Liverpool City Council Cecil Hills Basin Liverpool City Council Daruk Park Retarding Basin Liverpool City Council

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Dam Owner

Edmonson Park Jardine Drive Basin Liverpool City Council Greenway Drive Retarding Basin Liverpool City Council Horningsea Park Detention Basin Liverpool City Council Hoxton Park Basin Liverpool City Council Whitford Road Retarding Basin Liverpool City Council Bardin Ridge Lower Sutherland Shire Council Prospect Reservoir Water NSW Potts Hill Reservoir Water NSW Woronora Dam Water NSW

Preparedness 2.31.1 Maintain and operate the Dam Failure Warning System for their Dam(s). 2.31.2 Contribute to the development and implementation of community engagement and capacity building programs on flooding. 2.31.3 Consult with NSW SES on the determination of dam failure alert levels and notification arrangements when developing Dam Safety Emergency Plans. 2.31.4 Maintain a Dam Safety Emergency Plan and provide copies to the NSW SES. 2.31.5 Provide information on the consequences of dam failure to the NSW SES for incorporation into planning and flood intelligence.

2.32 PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Response 2.32.1 Assist NSW SES in the release of public information during an actual or imminent emergency as requested. 2.32.2 Assist the NSW SES in the establishment and operation of a Joint Media Information Centre.

2.33 NSW ROADS AND MARITIME SERVICES

Response 2.33.1 Manage traffic on state roads, state highways and waterways affected by flood waters and advise the NSW SES of their status. 2.33.2 Facilitate the safe reliable access of emergency resources on RMS managed roads. 2.33.3 Assist the NSW SES with identification of road infrastructure at risk of flooding. 2.33.4 Assist in traffic management associated with evacuations where necessary.

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2.33.5 Enter state road closure information into the Live Traffic site. 2.33.6 Assist the NSW SES and councils with the communication of warnings and information provision to the public through variable message signs. 2.33.7 Cooperate with the South West Metro and Sydney Metro Transport Services Functional Area Coordinator. 2.33.8 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required.

2.34 SERVICE AND SPORTING CLUBS

Response 2.34.1 Assist with: a. Delivery of evacuation warnings. b. Conduct of evacuations. c. Lifting and/or moving household furniture and commercial stock. d. Sandbagging. e. Monitoring of levees. f. Relocation of caravans.

2.35 SURF LIFE SAVING NSW

Response 2.35.1 Assist the NSW SES with the warning and/or evacuation of at risk communities. 2.35.2 Provide space in Surf Life Saving facilities for evacuation centres where required.

2.36 TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Preparedness 2.36.1 Assist the NSW SES to identify telecommunications infrastructure at risk of flood damage within the area of operations of this plan for incorporation into planning and intelligence products. Response 2.36.2 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. 2.36.3 Keep the NSW SES informed of the status of telecommunications infrastructure during flood operations. 2.36.4 Coordinate requests to the NSW SES, by Australian Telecommunication Carriers, to assist with access to critical telecommunications infrastructure.

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Recovery 2.36.5 Coordinate the restoration of telecommunications services damaged by flooding to normal operations.

2.37 TRANSPORT SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

2.37.1 Assist NSW SES, emergency services and other functional areas through the provision of traffic and transport operations as consistent with the roles of transport organisations, including: a. The movement of emergency equipment and personnel. b. The movement of emergency supplies and goods, including water, fuel and food. c. The evacuation of people and animals. d. Assistance for medical transport. e. Transportation of animals and infectious material/dangerous goods. f. Maintaining and operating a transport route advisory service to the NSW SES, emergency services organisations and other Functional Areas and members of the community. g. Coordinate the provision of traffic and transport operations as consistent with the roles of Transport organisations. h. Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required.

2.38 WELFARE SERVICES FUNCTIONAL AREA

Response 2.38.1 Implement the arrangements within Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan and as outlined within the NSW State Flood Plan. 2.38.2 Establish and manage Evacuation Centres to provide welfare services for those affected by a disaster. 2.38.3 In the event of a Major Evacuation Centre being required, assist in the management of the centre. 2.38.4 Provide key welfare services to meet the immediate needs of disaster affected people (children, adults and/or families). 2.38.5 Provide a liaison officer to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre as required. Recovery 2.38.6 Support the recovery process as detailed in the Welfare Services Functional Area Supporting Plan and State Recovery Plan.

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PART 3 - MITIGATING FLOODING AND MANAGING FLOODPLAINS

3.1 GENERAL

3.1.1 Actions to minimise the risk to life and to reduce property damage can be undertaken by carefully managing floodplains. These actions help to ensure that the use of floodplain land is not at odds with the nature of the flood hazard and allows for sustainable use of the land. 3.1.2 The arrangements for managing flood prone land in New South Wales are detailed in the State Government’s Flood Prone Lands Policy and the Floodplain Development Manual (10). Further detail is contained within the NSW State Flood Plan, Section 3. 3.1.3 The NSW SES is to be represented on relevant floodplain risk management committees established by councils within the Georges River Valley.

3.2 MANAGING FLOODPLAINS

Strategy 3.2.1 The purpose of floodplain management is to ensure that future urban development does not contribute to an unacceptable increase in the flood risk exposure. An unacceptable increase in risk exposure will result when the population numbers grow beyond the scope of available flood response options. Actions 3.2.2 The NSW SES will ensure: a. Participation in local floodplain risk management committee activities when those committees are formed, in accordance with current policy. b. Provision of emergency management advice to councils in relation to the management of flood prone land, in consultation with NSW SES State Headquarters, and in accordance with the Floodplain Development Manual (DIPNR, 2005). c. The NSW SES Sydney Southern Region Headquarters and State Headquarters is informed of involvement in floodplain risk management activities.

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PART 4 - PREPARING FOR FLOODS

4.1 INTRODUCTION

4.1.1 This Part deals with preparations for actual flood events. As identified in the State Flood Plan, preparation is undertaken by: a. Agencies and organisations which have responsibilities before and during or in the recovery from floods. b. Communities, businesses and households which are liable to the effects of flooding. 4.1.2 As the combat agency for flooding, the NSW SES is required to take the lead in planning for the occurrence of floods. This includes the following functions: a. Developing and maintaining flood intelligence systems. b. Preparing and maintaining Flood Sub Plans (including reviews and exercises). c. Training NSW SES Operations Controllers, Incident Controllers, Control/Command/Operations centre and field staff and ensuring resources are in a state of operational readiness. d. Ensuring that appropriate agencies, organisations and officers are aware of and ready for their responsibilities. e. Working with communities to plan, prepare, respond and recover from floods in their area.

4.2 FLOOD INTELLIGENCE

Strategy 4.2.1 Flood intelligence is a component of the total flood warning system and describes flood behaviour and its effects on the community. Flood effects include: a. Inundation (leading to a need for evacuation, property protection and/or rescue). b. Isolation (creating risk to life and the need for resupply and/or rescue). c. Disruption to community activities (e.g. because of the loss of electricity supply or transport routes). Actions 4.2.2 NSW SES maintains a centralised flood intelligence system. 4.2.3 Flood intelligence is obtained by gathering and assessing information, over the full range of possible flood types and severities, so that the likely effects of developing floods can be assessed. Intelligence is used to facilitate operational decision making and the provision of warnings and information to agencies and the public.

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4.2.4 The NSW SES Sydney Southern Region Headquarters will contribute to the development and maintenance of intelligence for flooding. 4.2.5 The collection of flood information for the development of intelligence before, during and after an event will be recorded by personnel according to current policy. 4.2.6 NSW SES Units will contribute to the development and maintenance of intelligence. This will include the collection, collation and analysis of information on potential effects of flooding on communities at risk and community characteristics from the following sources: a. Historical records. b. Information collected during and after events. c. Technical studies. d. Relevant forums including Floodplain Risk Management Committees.

4.3 PLANNING

Strategy 4.3.1 As the combat agency for flooding, the NSW SES leads planning for the occurrence of floods as detailed within the NSW State Flood Plan. Actions 4.3.2 The planning work to prepare for the eventuality of a severe to extreme flood in the Georges River Valley is a complex and on-going process. 4.3.3 The currency of this plan will be maintained by: a. Ensuring that all agencies, organisations and officers mentioned in it are aware of their roles and responsibilities. b. Conducting exercises to test arrangements. c. Reviewing the contents of the plan:  After each flood operation.  When significant changes in land-use or community characteristics occur.  When new information from flood studies become available.  When flood control or mitigation works are implemented or altered.  When there are changes that alter agreed plan arrangements. d. The plan is to be reviewed no less frequently than every five years.

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4.4 TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT

Strategy 4.4.1 NSW SES equipment is to be in a condition and state of readiness, critical for effective and efficient response operations. Actions 4.4.2 All NSW SES Units will be assisted by NSW SES Sydney Southern Region Headquarters to undertake training with relation to the contents of this plan and in the skills necessary to complete the tasks allocated to NSW SES. 4.4.3 The NSW SES Sydney Southern Region Controller will contribute to NSW SES programs that aim to provide adequate equipment and resources for NSW SES Units to undertake operations in accordance with the responsibilities outlined in this Plan.

4.5 TOTAL WARNING SYSTEMS

Strategy 4.5.1 The NSW SES establishes total flood warning systems for areas affected by flooding. Actions 4.5.2 This requires: a. An identification of the potential clients of flood warning information at different levels of flooding (i.e. who would be affected in floods of differing severities). b. Available information about the estimated impacts of flooding at different heights. c. Identification of required actions and the amounts of time needed to carry them out. d. Appropriate means of disseminating warnings to different clients and at different flood levels.

4.6 COMMUNITY DISASTER RESILIENCE

Strategy 4.6.1 Members of the community that prepare ahead of time and know how to respond appropriately often recover more efficiently and effectively. This helps them, their household and their community to become more resilient. Actions 4.6.2 Preparation is important within the Georges River due to the high risk to life from flooding (as described in Volume 2 – Hazards and Risks).

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4.6.3 Large floods within the Georges River Valley are likely to require the mass evacuation of people from flood impact areas in order to protect life. Given the large population and short timeframes to evacuate these areas, the protection of property is a secondary priority. 4.6.4 NSW SES encourages and supports individuals and businesses to build community resilience. This may include activities to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from the impact of flooding based on policy, guidance, and resources from government and other sources such as community organisations. 4.6.5 The NSW SES will use a range of strategies to deliver community engagement, education and awareness programs in partnership with and tailored to communities in the Georges River. These include, but are not limited to: a. Development and delivery of community engagement and capacity building programs that enhance community resilience to floods. b. Fostering of partnerships and building links with networks that can enhance community engagement, education and awareness. c. Providing opportunities for community members to be involved in the flood planning process. d. Education and training programs for key community and at-risk groups. e. Design, production and distribution of information resources and online tools.

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PART 5 - RESPONSE CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

5.1 BACKGROUND

5.1.1 This concept of operations should be read in conjunction with the concept of operations contained in the State Flood Plan. 5.1.2 This concept of operations provides guidance for: a. The development of subordinate flood plans. b. The development of Incident Action Plans (IAPs) for particular flood events. 5.1.3 IAPs for a particular event will contextualise this Concept of Operations and Response Part to the prevailing and predicted conditions at the time.

5.2 OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

5.2.1 The operational objectives of this Plan are: a. Protection of life (highest priority). b. Minimisation of damage to property. c. Minimisation of interruption to essential services. d. Effective transition to recovery.

5.3 OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES

5.3.1 The main response strategies for NSW SES flood operations are: a. Provision of timely, relevant, accurate and tailored information to the community regarding the potential impacts of a flood and what actions to undertake to support and encourage proactive measures to be taken. b. Evacuate people pre-emptively from dangerous or potentially dangerous places created by the flood hazard to safe locations away from the hazard. c. Rescue people and domestic animals from floods in accordance with the NSW Flood Rescue Policy including where evacuation operations have not been successfully completed. d. Coordinate the protection of property of residents, businesses and essential infrastructure at risk of flood damage where feasible. e. Resupply properties, towns and villages which have become isolated as a consequence of flooding to minimise disruption of the community. f. Manage the transition from response operations to recovery. 5.3.2 The impact may vary so a number of different strategies may need to be selected and implemented across the whole operational area.

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5.3.3 The NSW SES Incident Controller will select the appropriate mix of response strategies to deal with the expected impact of floods and set operational objectives. 5.3.4 Circumstances may arise where the NSW SES Incident Controller varies the priority of the strategies. This shall be documented and done in consultation with relevant stakeholders based on sound predictions, intelligence and risk assessments. 5.3.5 Supporting agency strategies may include: a. Protect the community from incidents involving fire and hazardous materials. b. Maintain the welfare of communities and individuals affected by the impact of a flood. c. Minimise disruption to the community by ensuring supply of essential energy and utility services. d. Ensure coordinated health services are available to and accessible by the flood affected communities. e. Maintain the welfare of animals affected by the impact of a flood.

5.4 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS

5.4.1 The NSW SES is the combat agency for dealing with floods and members of the NSW Police Force, other emergency service organisations and other agencies are required to recognise the authority of emergency officers appointed under the NSW SES Act 1989. 5.4.2 The nature of the flood threat is such that many other agencies and organisations (including non-government agencies) will likely play a part as will the people at risk of flood impacts. Other agencies are to assist the NSW SES in accordance with arrangements detailed in the Flood Emergency Plans. 5.4.3 Control and coordination of flood operations are carried out at the lowest effective level. However, the Incident Controller may be appointed from outside the local area and will be supported by the NSW SES Operations Controller. 5.4.4 To ensure that local knowledge is available for operations, local resources should be utilised whenever possible. 5.4.5 If local NSW SES and other local resources are insufficient or likely to be exhausted, additional NSW SES resources may be deployed by the appropriate NSW SES Operations Controller. If further NSW SES resources are required from other Regions they will be deployed by the NSW SES State Duty Operations Controller. 5.4.6 Resources from supporting emergency services and functional areas may be requested directly by the NSW SES Incident Controller or NSW SES Operations Controller under EMPLAN arrangements. Emergency Operations Controllers (EOCONs) will be responsible, when requested, to coordinate this additional

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support and are to be responsive to the requirements of the respective NSW SES Incident Controller.

5.5 START OF RESPONSE OPERATIONS

5.5.1 Flood response operations will start: a. On receipt of a Bureau of Meteorology Flood Watch, Preliminary Flood Warning, Flood Warning, Severe Thunderstorm Warning or a Severe Weather Warning for flash flooding or severe ocean conditions. b. On receipt of a dam failure alert. c. When other evidence leads to an expectation of flooding within the council area. 5.5.2 The NSW SES Incident Controller is to implement flood operations in accordance with this plan. 5.5.3 Contact with the Bureau of Meteorology to discuss the development of flood warnings will normally be through the NSW SES Operations Controller and/or NSW SES State Duty Operations Controller. 5.5.4 The following persons and organisations will be advised of the start of response operations within the operational area covered by this plan, regardless of the location and severity of the flooding anticipated: a. NSW SES Region Headquarters. b. NSW SES Local and Unit Controller(s). c. NSW SES Units. d. Local Emergency Operations Controller/s (for transmission to the NSW Police Force). e. Local Emergency Management Officer/s, where relevant, for transmission to the Mayor, appropriate council officers and departments. f. Regional Emergency Operations Controller. g. Regional Emergency Management Officer. h. Other agencies listed in this plan will be advised by the Regional/Local Emergency Management Officer on the request of the NSW SES Incident Controller and as appropriate to the location and nature of the threat.

5.6 END OF RESPONSE OPERATIONS

5.6.1 When the immediate danger to life and property has passed the NSW SES Operations Controller or the NSW SES Incident Controller will issue an 'All Clear' message signifying that it is safe for the evacuated community to return and response operations have been completed. The message will be distributed through the same media outlets as earlier evacuation messages. The NSW SES Incident Controller will also advise details of recovery coordination arrangements, arrangements made for clean-up operations prior to evacuees

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being allowed to return to their homes, and stand-down instructions for agencies not required for recovery operations. Control

5.7 CONTROL AND COORDINATION

Strategy 5.7.1 Maintain effective control of flood operations across the Georges River Valley. Actions 5.7.2 The NSW SES State Duty Operations Controller will provide overall coordination of flood and storm operations and allocate resources between possible concurrent flood and storm operations elsewhere in NSW. 5.7.3 NSW SES utilises the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS). 5.7.4 AIIMS provides for different incident levels based on the complexity of management. 5.7.5 The Georges River Valley may be divided into sectors and divisions to manage the flood event (divisions are usually a group of sectors). 5.7.6 Sectors and divisions may be based on floodplain classifications, geographical, physical or functional boundaries. A town, city or suburb may be one sector or split into several sectors and divisions.

5.8 OPERATIONS COMMAND AND INCIDENT CONTROL CENTRES

Strategy 5.8.1 Maintain an Operations Command Centre, Incident Control Centre and coordinate support of flood operations in the Georges River Valley. Actions 5.8.2 The NSW SES Operations Command Centre will be established by the NSW SES Operations Controller. 5.8.3 The NSW SES Incident Control Centre will be established by the NSW SES Incident Controller. 5.8.4 The Region and/or Local Emergency Operations Centre/s (EOC) will be located at the discretion of the respective REOCON/s and/or LEOCON/s.

5.9 LIAISON

Strategy 5.9.1 Effective liaison is to be established between the NSW SES and supporting agencies.

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Actions 5.9.2 Any agency with responsibilities identified in this plan may be requested by the NSW SES to provide liaison (including a liaison officer where necessary) to the NSW SES Incident Control Centre, or designated Emergency Operations Centre. 5.9.3 In accordance with NSW EMPLAN, Liaison Officers will: a. Maintain communication with and convey directions/requests to their organisation or functional area. b. Provide advice on the status, resource availability, capabilities, actions and requirements of their organisation or functional area. c. Where appropriate, have the authority to commit resources of their organisation at the request of the NSW SES Incident Controller. Public Information

5.10 PROVIDING PUBLIC INFORMATION

Strategy 5.10.1 Provide timely, relevant, accurate and tailored information to the community regarding the potential impacts of a flood. Actions 5.10.2 The NSW SES will coordinate public information management strategies, including: a. Providing warnings, information and advice to communities. b. Informing the community regarding the potential impacts of a flood and what actions to undertake in preparation for flooding. 5.10.3 The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (operated by the NSW Police Force) will answer calls from the public regarding registered evacuees. 5.10.4 Information on the status of roads and transport network will be available from: a. The Live Traffic NSW website. b. The NSW Transport Info website. c. The Transport Information Line (131500). d. Council websites. 5.10.5 Information on dam operations will be provided by Water NSW. Dam storage levels will be available from the Water NSW website.

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5.11 WARNINGS AND INFORMATION

Strategy 5.11.1 Inform the community regarding the potential impacts of a flood and what actions to undertake in preparation for flooding in accordance with the national Emergency Warning principles. 5.11.2 Information and warnings relating to flooding will be collected, collated, analysed, mapped (where appropriate) and distributed. Actions 5.11.3 The Bureau provides flood warning services and warning products to the NSW SES in accordance with the NSW State Flood Plan. 5.11.4 The NSW SES Incident Controller will ensure that all of the supporting NSW SES Operations Centres are regularly briefed on the progress of operations. 5.11.5 The Bureau Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. These are issued direct to the media by the Bureau when severe thunderstorms are expected to produce dangerous or damaging conditions, including flash flooding. Severe thunderstorms are usually smaller in scale than events covered by Flood Watches and Severe Weather Warnings. 5.11.6 The Bureau Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Sydney/Newcastle/Wollongong (cell - based). These are issued when severe thunderstorms are actually occurring or are about to move into the heavily populated region around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. High quality, full- time weather radar coverage in this area allows these warnings to describe the current location of individual thunderstorms, and the places likely to be affected within the next 30 to 60 minutes. 5.11.7 The Bureau Severe Weather Warnings for Flash Flooding. These are issued direct to the media by the Bureau and provide a warning of the possibility for flash flooding as a result of intense rainfall. These warnings are issued when severe weather is expected to affect land based communities with 6 to 24 hours. Severe Weather Warnings may also include other conditions such as Damaging Surf, Dangerous Surf or tides, or Damaging Winds. 5.11.8 The Bureau Flood Watches. Flood Watches are issued by the Bureau to advise people of the potential for flooding in a catchment area based on predicted or actual rainfall. Flood Watches will be included in NSW SES Flood Bulletins. 5.11.9 The Bureau Flood Warnings. The NSW SES will include information on the estimated impacts of flooding at the predicted heights in NSW SES Flood Bulletins. 5.11.10 NSW SES Livestock and Equipment Warnings. Following heavy rain or when there are indications of significant creek or river rises (even to levels below Minor Flood heights), the NSW SES Incident Controller will issue NSW SES Livestock and Equipment Warnings.

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5.11.11 NSW SES Local Flood Advices. The NSW SES Incident Controller may issue Local Flood Advices for locations not covered by Bureau Flood Warnings. They may be provided verbally in response to phone inquiries but will normally be incorporated into NSW SES Flood Bulletins. 5.11.12 NSW SES Flood Bulletins. The NSW SES will regularly issue NSW SES Flood Bulletins which describe information on the estimated impacts of flooding at the predicted heights (using information from Bureau Flood Warnings and NSW SES Local Flood Advices) to media outlets and agencies supporting NSW SES operations. 5.11.13 NSW SES Evacuation Warnings and Evacuation Orders. These are usually issued to the media by the NSW SES Operations Controller on behalf of the NSW SES Incident Controller. Evacuation warnings are a message advising the community to prepare for likely evacuation. The warning advises people what to do and what to take with them. Evacuation orders communicate the need for a community (or parts of a community) to evacuate within a specified time frame in response to an imminent threat. It also advises where people should go and may advise which evacuation route to take. 5.11.14 Special Warnings. a. Ashford Avenue water level monitoring and alert system at Milperra Drain is transmitted to NSW SES Bankstown Headquarters. b. Campbelltown City Council operates and maintains two flood warning systems, one being at the causeway at Cambridge Avenue, Glenfield and the second at Wedderburn Road, Wedderburn. Warnings may be disseminated by telephone contact with properties in the Woronora Valley which have no road access. 5.11.15 Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (a business unit within NSW Public Works) automated river watch system funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage. This system provides river height and rainfall readings for a number of gauges in the Georges River Valley. Recent data from this system is available on the Manly Hydraulic Laboratory website: http://www.mhl.nsw.gov.au. A history of area floods is also available upon request via the website. 5.11.16 NSW Office of Water. This office advises flow rates and rates of rise for the Georges River. Daily river reports containing information on gauge heights and river flows are available from the website: http://waterinfo.nsw.gov.au/. 5.11.17 Dam Failure Alerts. Dam failure alerts are issued to NSW SES by the dam owner, in accordance with arrangements in the Dam Safety Emergency Plan (DSEP), the system involves the Dam Owner notifying the NSW SES State Operations Centre, who in turn distribute the warning to the NSW SES Region, Local and Unit Headquarters. 5.11.18 A flow chart illustrating the notification arrangements for potential dam failure is shown in Attachment 2. 5.11.19 Dam failure alert levels are set in consultation with the NSW SES and are used to trigger appropriate response actions. The conditions that define each of the alert levels are listed in the relevant DSEP. Responses escalate as the alert level

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migrates from white to amber to red. Table 1 briefly outlines example defining conditions and appropriate NSW SES responses associated with each alert.

Alert Level Example Defining Condition NSW SES Response NSW SES Warning Product

White May be a structural Implements notification This is a preliminary alert anomaly. flowchart. to assist the NSW SES in its preparation. This is not a public alert. May be increased Check operational readiness. monitoring in response to a heavy rainfall event Amber Failure possible if storage Implements notification NSW SES Evacuation level continues to rise or flowchart. Warning structural anomaly not fixed Warn downstream population at risk to prepare to evacuate Red Failure imminent or Implements notification NSW SES Evacuation occurred flowchart. Order

Evacuation of downstream populations Table 1: Dam Failure Alert Levels Note: Some DSEPs will have alert levels that proceed directly from White to Red. This is the case if adequate time does not exist between the three alert levels to evacuate the downstream population at risk. The decision to omit the Amber Alert level, and the general setting of Alert levels should be undertaken in consultation with the NSW SES. 5.11.20 The NSW SES / Dam Owner will disseminate warnings to the population at risk of dam failure (these arrangements are specific to each dam, are negotiated between the Dam Owner and NSW SES, and are documented in the DSEP). 5.11.21 Special arrangements apply in the case of severe flooding that may have the potential to cause the failure of High Risk Dams. Details of these arrangements are maintained by the NSW SES. 5.11.22 Dam Storage Monitoring Systems. These systems provide information on Prospect Reservoir and Woronora Dam. 5.11.23 Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS). This signal may be played over radio and television stations to alert communities to Evacuation Warnings, Evacuation Orders, Special Warnings or Dam-Failure Warnings. Approval to use the signal is associated with who approves the warning/order message. 5.11.24 The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) (operated by the NSW Police Force) will answer calls from the public regarding registered evacuees and provide authorised emergency information to the public. 5.11.25 The Disaster Welfare Assistance line is a central support and contact point for disaster affected people inquiring about welfare services advice and assistance. This normally operates during business hours, but can be extended when required.

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5.11.26 The RMS Transport Information Line will provide advice to callers on the status of roads. The Live Traffic Website and Smart Phone App also lists road closure information. 5.11.27 Councils will provide information on the status of the local roads within their respective areas. This information is usually available on their websites.

5.12 MEDIA

Strategy 5.12.1 Provide a coordinated all-agency approach to the provision of flood information via the media. Actions 5.12.2 The Joint Media Information Centre will be established as required. 5.12.3 The Joint Media Information Centre will coordinate the provision of all information to the media relating to the flood event. The assisting emergency services and key supporting agencies will provide media liaison officers to the JMIC. 5.12.4 The Public Information Services Functional Area will assist the NSW SES in the operation of the Joint Information Centre. 5.12.5 Depending on the scale of concurrent flood and storm operations, the NSW SES State Duty Operations Controller may direct that the Joint Media Information Centre coordinate the provision of information to the media for all concurrent flood and storm operations. Planning and Intelligence

5.13 COLLATING SITUATIONAL INFORMATION

Strategy 5.13.1 The NSW SES maintains and records situational awareness of current impacts and response activities. Actions 5.13.2 The NSW SES Incident Management Team collates information on the current situation and incorporated in situation reports. 5.13.3 Sources of situational information are: a. Agency Situation Reports. Agencies and functional areas provide regular situation reports (SITREPs) to the NSW SES. b. Active Reconnaissance. The NSW SES Incident Controller is responsible for coordinating the reconnaissance of impact areas, recording and communicating observations. Reconnaissance can be performed on the

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ground and using remote sensing (more commonly aerial). The NSW SES monitors the following problem areas:  Cambridge Avenue, Glenfield  Wedderburn Causeway, Wedderburn  Georges Hall  Milperra  Chipping Norton  East Hills  Kelso Levee  Picnic Point  Salt Pan Creek  Little Salt Pan Creek  Prospect Creek  Monash Reserve  Milperra Creek c. The Bureau’s Flood Warning Centre provides river height and rainfall information, data is available on the website http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/. d. The Bureau’s Enviromon system provides an automated river watch system. This system provides real time river height and rainfall readings for a number of gauges in the Georges River catchment. It also provides information on some dams. e. Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (a business unit within NSW Public Works) automated river watch system funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage. This system provides river height and rainfall readings for a number of gauges in the area of operations of this plan. Recent data from this system is available on the Manly Hydraulic Laboratory website: http://www.mhl.nsw.gov.au. A history of area floods is also available upon request via the website. f. NSW Office of Water. This office advises flow rates and rates of rise for the Georges River. Daily river reports containing information on gauge heights and river flows are available from the website: http://waterinfo.nsw.gov.au/. g. Dam Storage Monitoring Systems. h. NSW SES Operations Command Centres and NSW SES Incident Control Centres. The Incident Controller provides information on flooding and its consequences, including those in nearby council areas (this information is documented in Bulletins and Situation Reports). i. Road closure information from council.

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5.13.4 During flood operations sources of information on roads closed by flooding include: a. Council websites b. Roads and Maritime Services Live Traffic phone services, website and smartphone app. c. Local NSW Police Force Stations. d. NSW SES Local Headquarters. e. NSW SES website. 5.13.5 Situational information relating to consequences of flooding should be used to verify and validate NSW SES Flood Intelligence records.

5.14 RECONNAISSANCE

Strategy 5.14.1 Coordinate monitoring, reconnaissance and flood response impact assessment of flood prone areas. Actions 5.14.2 Reconnaissance, flood response impact assessments and post flood evaluation will be coordinated by NSW SES and conducted to: a. Develop a holistic assessment of the actual impact of a flood and for the purpose of flood intelligence records. b. Inform rapid impact assessment activities undertaken as part of the transition to recovery.

5.15 RESOURCE PLANNING

Strategy 5.15.1 Maintain effective resource allocation for Georges River flood operations. Actions 5.15.2 The weather systems that produce flooding in the Georges River may also produce concurrent flood operations in NSW as well as concurrent large storm operations. As a result the allocation of resources between these concurrent operations will be complex and will need to be considered by the NSW SES State Duty Operations Controller.

5.16 INFORMATION COLLECTION AND INTELLIGENCE DEVELOPMENT

Strategy 5.16.1 Collect flood information and develop flood intelligence to ensure constant improvement in flood planning and response.

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Actions 5.16.2 Collection of flood information should occur in concurrence with, or as soon as practical following, a flood event. 5.16.3 All information should be shared across agencies, including Office of Environment and Heritage, Councils and NSW SES and contribute to the recovery handover. 5.16.4 Detailed flood inundation mapping should be requested from all impacted local government councils. 5.16.5 Post event flood study reviews should be undertaken by all impacted local government councils with floodplain management studies and plans being updated based on the update flood study information. 5.16.6 An event intelligence collection plan should be developed for each flooding event which should include the following: a. Address of properties inundated by flood water b. Extend of damage/inundation of each property i.e. above flood, houses moved off foundations etc. c. Height of flood water on each property d. Timeline of flooding on each property 5.16.7 Information from post event collection is to be validated and recorded in NSW SES Flood Intelligence Systems. Logistics

5.17 LOGISTICS

Strategy 5.17.1 Coordinate logistics support to ensure operational effectiveness. Actions 5.17.2 If local NSW SES and other local resources are insufficient or likely to be exhausted, additional NSW SES resources (people and equipment) within the relevant NSW SES Region may be deployed by the NSW SES Operations Controller. If further NSW SES resources are required from other Regions, they will be deployed by the NSW SES State Operations Centre. 5.17.3 The NSW SES may request support directly from a supporting agency whilst keeping the appropriate Emergency Operations Controller informed or request the relevant Emergency Operations Controller to coordinate support to it. 5.17.4 As far as possible, supporting agencies are to provide their own logistic support in consultation with NSW SES where appropriate.

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Functional Areas and Assistance

5.18 ASSISTANCE FOR ANIMALS

Strategy 5.18.1 Matters relating to the welfare of livestock, companion animals and wildlife are to be referred to Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area. Actions 5.18.2 Requests for emergency supply and/or delivery of fodder to stranded livestock, or for livestock rescue, are to be referred to Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area. 5.18.3 Requests for animal rescue should be referred to the NSW SES.

5.19 FUNCTIONAL AREAS

5.19.1 The Functional Areas identified in State EMPLAN and NSW State Flood Plan will provide support to the NSW SES in the conduct of flood operations. The Functional Areas will provide liaison arrangements to the NSW SES Incident Controller or Operations Controller as per the State EMPLAN recognising that there may be concurrent flooding and storm events requiring support. 5.19.2 The NSW SES Incident Controller or Operations Controller will ensure that the providers of essential services (electricity, water, sewerage, medical and health) are kept advised of the flood situation through arrangements prescribed by the relevant Functional Area Coordinator. 5.19.3 Essential service providers will: a. Keep the NSW SES Incident Controller abreast of their status and ongoing ability to provide their services. b. Coordinate their operations with the NSW SES Incident Controller or Operations Controller, via their Liaison Officers, so that their personnel and assets can be safely evacuated from the area before the evacuation routes are cut.

5.20 EMERGENCY SERVICES

Strategy 5.20.1 Protect the community from incidents involving public order, fire, hazardous materials and care and transport of the sick and injured. Actions 5.20.2 NSW Police Force will provide the following in the flood affected areas as detailed in the NSW EMPLAN: a. Law enforcement including the protection of evacuated properties

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b. Public order management c. Coordination of searches for missing persons d. Coordination of rescue services other than Flood Rescue. e. Flood Rescue Teams. 5.20.3 Fire and Rescue NSW respond to fires in a fire district and land based Hazardous Material incidents in the flood affected areas as detailed in the NSW Hazmat Plan. 5.20.4 The NSW Rural Fire Service will respond to fire in rural fire districts within flood affected areas. 5.20.5 NSW Ambulance will provide: a. Pre-hospital care. b. Ambulance service management of multiple evacuation sites where ambulance assistance in facilities / patient evacuations is necessary. c. Aero-medical evacuation. d. Flood Rescue Teams. 5.20.6 In Sectors that will be completely evacuated the emergency services will need to coordinate their operations with the NSW SES Incident Controller/Operations Controller, via their Liaison Officers, so that their personnel and assets can be safely evacuated from the area before evacuation routes are cut. 5.20.7 NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW RFS and NSW Ambulance may, after consultation with the NSW SES Incident Controller, leave personnel and assets in flood islands to provide emergency services to any remaining population. However, an emergency relocation plan must be put in place.

5.21 DISASTER VICTIM IDENTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION

Strategy 5.21.1 Provide services to identify and register disaster victims. Actions 5.21.2 The NSW Police Force are responsible for the identification of the dead and injured, notifying next of kin, establishing temporary mortuaries and coordinating disaster victim registration.

5.22 STRANDED TRAVELLERS

Strategy 5.22.1 Provide emergency assistance for travellers stranded by flood water.

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Actions 5.22.2 Flood waters can strand travellers. Travellers seeking assistance will be referred to the Welfare Services Functional Area for the arrangement of emergency accommodation.

5.23 DEFENCE ASSISTANCE

Strategy 5.23.1 Provide Defence Assistance where required to support flood operations. Actions 5.23.2 Arrangements for Defence Assistance to the Civil Community are detailed within the State EMPLAN (section 448). 5.23.3 Depending on the severity of expected flooding the Incident Controller may provide early advice to the NSW SES State Duty Operations Controller of the need for defence assistance which may include: a. Air support. b. Ground transport such as high clearance vehicles or sandbagging. Operations

5.24 AIR OPERATIONS

Strategy 5.24.1 Coordinate the use of air resources during flood operations. Actions 5.24.2 Air support operations will be conducted under the control of the NSW SES Operations Controller, which may allocate aircraft to units if applicable. 5.24.3 NSW SES maintains the following information for the area of operations of this plan: a. Locations of suitable helicopter landing points. b. Locations of suitable airports and records detailing aircraft size and type that can land at airports. c. Intelligence on when access to these locations is expected to be lost. 5.24.4 Where appropriate, helicopters may be used to: a. Conduct reconnaissance. b. Assist with flood rescue. c. Ferry any remaining people from within evacuated Sectors to landing points on the fringe of the flooded area in the case of people still remaining on flood islands after road evacuation routes are cut.

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d. Conduct supply operations. 5.24.5 Where appropriate, fixed wing aircraft may be used to: a. Conduct reconnaissance. b. Move flood affected persons. 5.24.6 The NSW SES Operations Controller will have an Air Operations section to: a. Liaise with the NSW RFS State Air Desk and Transport Services Functional Area Coordination Centre on provision of aircraft. b. Manage NSW SES Air Bases established. c. Manage the allocation of aircraft to NSW SES. 5.24.7 The protocol for requesting aircraft is as follows: a. Request aircraft from the State Air Operations Management Team. b. Air Operations Management Team assigns aircraft to the Operations Controller. c. The Operations Controller tasks the aircraft. d. At the conclusion the aircraft are released back to the State Air Operations Management Team.

5.25 ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

Strategy 5.25.1 Effectively control transport during flood operations. Actions 5.25.2 A number of roads within the area of operations of this plan are affected by flooding. NSW SES maintains details of these roads. 5.25.3 Councils close and re-open their own roads as well as roads that they manage on behalf of the Roads and Maritime Service. 5.25.4 The NSW Police Force has the authority to close and re-open roads but will normally only do so (if the Council or the RMS have not already acted) if public safety requires such action. 5.25.5 When resources permit, the NSW SES assists Council, RMS or the Police by erecting road closure signs and barriers. 5.25.6 In flood events, the NSW SES Incident Controller may direct the imposition of traffic control measures. The entry into flood affected areas will be controlled in accordance with the provisions of the State Emergency Service Act, 1989 (Part 5, Sections 19, 20, 21 and 22) and the State Emergency Rescue Management Act, 1989 (Part 4, Sections 60KA, 60L and 61). 5.25.7 Police, RMS or Council officers closing or re-opening roads or bridges affected by flooding are to advise the NSW SES Incident Controller, which will then provide a road information service to local emergency services, the public and

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the NSW SES Operations Controller. All such information will also be passed to the Police, RMS and the Council. 5.25.8 The NSW SES Incident Controller may request Police to close any road access route into flood affected areas to reduce traffic congestion in the area of operations or to maintain security of evacuated areas. These are in addition to those roads forming the regional road evacuation routes. 5.25.9 NSW SES to liaise with RMS and local governments to ensure that road conditions are monitored and that road repair crews are available for rapid response to maintain evacuation routes.

5.26 PRELIMINARY DEPLOYMENTS

Strategy 5.26.1 Ensure resources are in place for areas that may become isolated. Actions 5.26.2 When flooding is expected to be severe enough to cut road access to communities, the NSW SES Incident Controller in conjunction with other emergency services, will ensure that resources are in place for the distribution of foodstuffs and medical supplies to the areas that could become isolated. 5.26.3 When access between locations is expected to be cut, the NSW SES Incident Controller will advise appropriate agencies so that resources (including sandbags, fire fighting appliances, ambulances, law enforcement, rescue, etc.) are deployed to ensure that operational capability is maintained.

5.27 COMMUNICATIONS

Strategy 5.27.1 Maintain communication systems throughout flood operations. Actions 5.27.2 The normal means of communication during response operations will be the telephone (both PSTN and mobile) and email 5.27.3 The primary means of communication to and between deployed NSW SES resources is by GRN and mobile phone. 5.27.4 All liaison officers will provide their own communication links back to their parent agencies. 5.27.5 All other organisations will provide communications as necessary to their deployed field teams. 5.27.6 Back-up communications are provided as follows: a. Requested through the Local Emergency Operations Controller, the NSW Rural Fire Service and Councils may provide back-up communications.

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Evacuation

5.28 MANAGING EVACUATION OPERATIONS

Strategy 5.28.1 Evacuate people pre-emptively from dangerous or potentially dangerous places created by the flood hazard to safe locations away from the hazard. Actions 5.28.2 NSW SES Incident Controller will control evacuations throughout the Georges River Valley. 5.28.3 The evacuation operation will have the following stages: a. Decision to evacuate. b. Mobilisation (mobilisation may begin prior to the decision to evacuate). c. Evacuation Warning delivery. d. Evacuation Order delivery. e. Withdrawal. f. Shelter. g. All Clear h. Return.

5.29 DECISION TO EVACUATE

5.29.1 The decision to evacuate rests with the NSW SES Incident Controller who exercises his/her authority as an emergency officer in accordance with Section 22(1) of The State Emergency Service Act 1989. The decision to evacuate will usually be made after consultation with the NSW SES Operations Controller and the Local Emergency Operations Controller. 5.29.2 In events that require large scale evacuations, the decision to evacuate will remain with the Incident Controller with the approval of evacuation warnings and orders required from State Duty Operations Controller/NSW SES Commissioner. 5.29.3 Some people will make their own decision to evacuate earlier and move to alternate accommodation, using their own transport. This is referred to as self- managed evacuation (5). 5.29.4 Evacuations will take place when there is a risk to public safety. Circumstances may include: a. Evacuation of people when their homes or businesses are likely to flood. b. Evacuation of people who are unsuited to living in isolated circumstances, due to flood water closing access.

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c. Evacuation of people where essential energy and utility services have failed or are likely to fail where buildings have been or may be made uninhabitable. Evacuation is the primary response strategy as isolated properties can lose power, water, phone lines, sewerage services, become a refuge for spiders, snakes and other animals and are at risk of the consequences secondary emergencies without assistance.

5.30 MOBILISATION

5.30.1 The NSW SES Incident Controller will decide when to mobilise resources for evacuations for specific sectors based on predictions of sector thresholds being exceeded. 5.30.2 For each Sector the key mobilisations steps are: a. Activate sector control arrangements. b. Prepare communication systems. c. Prepare warning systems. d. Establish road evacuation routes. e. Assemble buses. f. Initiate rail arrangements. g. Activate evacuation centres. h. Provide early warning to vulnerable institutions. i. Coordinate utility service isolations, disconnections and shut downs. j. Prepare evacuation warnings. 5.30.3 The NSW SES Operations Controller will coordinate requests for any additional resources from the Incident Controller. 5.30.4 The NSW SES Incident Controller will arrange liaison officers for Sector Command Centres as required. 5.30.5 The NSW SES Incident Controller will request the required number of buses for Sectors via the Transport Services Functional Area through the respective Liaison Officer.

5.31 EVACUATION WARNING AND ORDER DELIVERY

5.31.1 The NSW SES Incident Controller will decide when to issue Evacuation Warnings and Orders for specific Sectors. 5.31.2 The NSW SES will advise the community of the requirements to evacuate. The NSW SES will issue an Evacuation Warning when the intent of an NSW SES Incident Controller is to warn the community of the need to prepare for a possible evacuation.

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5.31.3 The NSW SES will issue an Evacuation Order when the intent of the NSW SES Incident Controller is to instruct a community to immediately evacuate in response to an imminent threat. 5.31.4 The NSW SES Incident Controller will advise the NSW Police Force and NSW Transport Management Centre to commence traffic management arrangements on relevant evacuation routes. 5.31.5 The NSW SES Incident Controller will distribute Evacuation Warnings and Evacuation Orders to: a. The NSW SES Operations Command Centre b. NSW SES State Operations Centre. c. Sector/Division Command Centres (where established). d. The respective Local and Region Emergency Operations Centre/s for the area covered by this plan. e. The councils for the area covered by this plan. f. The Mayors for the area covered by this plan. g. NSW Police Force Liaison Officer. h. All supporting agency Liaison Officers i. Radio stations. j. Other specified individuals. k. Metropolitan media outlets via the Joint Media Information Centre. l. Affected communities via dial-out warning systems where installed or applicable. m. Relevant media outlets and agencies. 5.31.6 Evacuation Warnings and Evacuation Orders may be delivered through: a. Radio and television stations. b. Doorknocking by emergency service personnel. c. Public address systems (fixed or mobile). d. Telephony-based systems (including Emergency Alert). e. Two-way radio. f. Direct access to local radio station. g. Broadcast fax. h. Email. i. SMS. j. Established warden systems or established community liaison networks, partnerships and relationships. k. Mobile sirens.

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l. Variable message signs. m. Community notices in identified hubs. n. Internet. o. Emergency service personnel using public announcement systems in vehicles (mobile PA) to advise residents. 5.31.7 The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) may be used to precede all Evacuation Orders broadcast on Radio Stations. 5.31.8 As new and emerging technologies become viable the total warning system will continually evolve. 5.31.9 Sector Controllers, where established, will distribute Evacuation Orders via Emergency Service personnel in doorknock teams to areas under threat of inundation. 5.31.10 Doorknock teams will work at the direction of: a. The Sector Controller if a Sector is established. b. The Incident Controller. 5.31.11 Field teams conducting doorknocks will record and report back the following information to their Sector Controller/Division Controller/ Incident Controller: a. Addresses and locations of houses doorknocked and/or evacuated. b. The number of occupants. c. Details of support required (such as transport, medical evacuation, assistance to secure house and/or property and raise or move belongings). d. Location that the residents have evacuated to such as an evacuation centre or family/friends. e. Details of residents who refuse to comply with the Evacuation Order. 5.31.12 Refusal to evacuate. Field teams should not waste time dealing with people who are reluctant or refuse to comply with any Evacuation Order. These cases are to be referred to the NSW Police Force.

5.32 WITHDRAWAL

5.32.1 Evacuations will generally be carried out in stages starting from the lowest areas, low flood islands and low trapped perimeters, and progressively from higher areas. 5.32.2 The following means of evacuation will be used alone or in combination. They are listed in order of preferred selection priority. a. Road. b. Rail (where available). c. Rotary wing aircraft in emergency situations.

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5.32.3 The most effective means of evacuation is via road, using private vehicles and public buses for those who do not have or unable to use their own vehicles. This allows residents more control over their own evacuation. However, other means of evacuation may also be used if available and as necessary (e.g. by foot, rail, air). 5.32.4 Evacuees who require emergency accommodation or disaster welfare assistance will be directed to designated evacuation centres. Evacuees who have made their own accommodation arrangements will not be directed to evacuation centres. It is not possible to determine in advance how many will fall into this category. 5.32.5 Evacuees will: a. Move under local traffic arrangements from the relevant sectors to the evacuation route entry point. b. Move under traffic management arrangements to the evacuation route exit points. c. Continue along the road network to allocated evacuation centres. 5.32.6 On major evacuation routes there may be one lane set aside for emergency vehicle traffic into and out of the Sectors. These include: a. Utility service provider vehicles to disconnect services and make safe utility assets. b. Waste service vehicles to make final collections and make safe waste assets. c. Vehicle breakdown repair and towing vehicles. d. Road maintenance repair crews. e. Road barricade and traffic signage crews. 5.32.7 Health Services. The Health Services Functional Area will coordinate the evacuation of hospitals, health centres and aged care facilities (including nursing homes). 5.32.8 Schools. School administration offices (Department of Education, Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools) will coordinate the evacuation of schools if not already closed. 5.32.9 If there is sufficient time between the start of response operations and the evacuation of communities, the NSW SES Incident Controller will discuss the temporary closure of appropriate schools with the respective management of the education sector coordinating organisations. This will enable pupils to stay at home or be returned home so they can be evacuated (if required) with their families. 5.32.10 Note that school principals may close some schools affected by flooding in the early stages of flooding. 5.32.11 Caravan parks. When an evacuation order is given occupiers of movable dwellings should:

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a. Isolate power to moveable dwellings. b. Collect personal papers, medicines, a change of clothing, toiletries and bedclothes. c. Lift the other contents in any remaining dwellings as high as possible. d. Move to friends, relatives or a designated evacuation centre if they have their own transport, or move to the caravan office to await transport. e. If undertaking self-managed evacuation, register their movements with the caravan park management upon leaving the park. 5.32.12 Where possible, dwellings that can be moved will be relocated by their owners. Park managers will arrange for the relocation of movable dwellings as required. Council’s and NSW SES personnel may assist if required. 5.32.13 Caravan park managers will ensure that their caravan park is capable of being evacuated in a timely and safe manner. 5.32.14 Advise the NSW SES Incident Controller of: a. The number of people requiring transport. b. Details of any medical evacuations required. c. Whether additional assistance is required to effect the evacuation. 5.32.15 Check that all residents and visitors are accounted for. 5.32.16 Inform the NSW SES Incident Controller when the evacuation of the caravan park has been completed. 5.32.17 Provide the NSW SES Incident Controller with a register of people that have been evacuated. 5.32.18 Assistance Animals, Pets and Companion Animals of Evacuees: Assistance animals (guide dogs, hearing assistance animals, etc.) will remain in the care of their owners throughout the evacuation. This includes transport and access into evacuation centres etc. 5.32.19 Where possible owners should take their companion animals with them when they are asked to evacuate. Due to safety restrictions, it may not be possible to allow companion animals to accompany their owners when being transported via aircraft or flood rescue boat. In such circumstances Agriculture and Animal Services will coordinate separate arrangements for evacuation and care of companion animals. 5.32.20 Transport and storage: Transport and storage of furniture from flood threatened properties may be arranged as time and resources permit. 5.32.21 Where relevant, the NSW Transport Management Centre is to provide the NSW SES Incident Controller with: a. Advice when each evacuation route is ready. b. Regular status reports for each evacuation route.

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5.32.22 The NSW Transport Management Centre, via the NSW Transport Management Centre Liaison Officer in conjunction with the Welfare Services Liaison Officer, will provide updates to radio stations on the status of: a. Major Evacuation routes. b. Routes to activated evacuation centres. c. Relevant evacuation centres and alternate evacuation centres. 5.32.23 After delivery of evacuees by bus to an Evacuation Centre, bus drivers will report to their designated dispatch centre for reassignment or release. 5.32.24 Security: The NSW Police Force will coordinate the provision of overall security for evacuated areas. 5.32.25 The NSW SES Sector Controller is to provide the following reports to the NSW SES Incident Controller: a. Advice of commencement of the evacuation of each Sector b. Half-hourly progress reports (by Sectors) during evacuations c. Advice of completion of the evacuation of each Sector. 5.32.26 Assembly areas: An assembly area is a designated location used for the assembly of emergency-affected persons before they move to temporary accommodation or a nominated evacuation centre. As such these areas do not provide welfare assistance nor are they used for long term sheltering or provision of meals. 5.32.27 A staging area may also be a prearranged, strategically placed area, where support response personnel, vehicles and other equipment can be held in readiness for use during an emergency.

5.33 SHELTER

5.33.1 Evacuation Centres: Evacuees will be advised to go to friends or relatives, or else be taken to the nearest accessible evacuation centre, which may initially be established at the direction of the NSW SES Incident Controller, but managed as soon as possible by Welfare Services. 5.33.2 Registration: The NSW Police Force will facilitate the requirement of Disaster Victim Registration for people evacuated to designated evacuation centres. 5.33.3 Animal Shelter: Facilities to hold and care for companion animals of evacuees will be coordinated by Agriculture and Animal Services if required. If required, Agriculture and Animal Services will also coordinate refuge areas for livestock (e.g. horses) where feasible.

5.34 ALL CLEAR AND RETURN

Strategy 5.34.1 Coordinate the safe return of communities to flood affected areas when the immediate danger to life and property has passed.

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Actions 5.34.2 As flood waters recede the environment is often characterised by a combination of lack of utility services, extensive debris and hazardous materials and potentially unsafe road infrastructure. 5.34.3 The ability for residents to return to their homes in a safe environment will be determined by a number of considerations including: a. Cleaning of poles, wires and street transformers prior to re-energising of power lines. b. Electricity safety checks of houses and buildings, prior to reconnection. c. Gas line purging and re-lights of household services. d. Sewer services cleaned and reconnection subject to service availability of the street mains. e. Water supply purged and subject to service availability of the street mains. f. Assessment of any damage to roads and bridges. g. Assessment of hazardous materials in buildings or on thoroughfares. h. Assessment of public health concerns. 5.34.4 The NSW SES will assess, in consultation with the relevant EOCON and SERCON/Recovery Coordinator, each area affected and specify the level of access as one of the following: a. Not suitable for access; or b. Limited access by emergency services and response agencies; or c. Limited access by utility and infrastructure repair crews; or d. Limited access by residents and/or business operators; or e. No restriction on access. 5.34.5 Once all required safety inspections and service restorations have occurred as detailed above and it is determined that there is no need to further restrict access, the Incident Controller will issue an 'All Clear' message. 5.34.6 Note that declaring an ‘All Clear’ may take an extended amount of time. The message will be distributed through the same media outlets as earlier evacuation messages. The community will be provided with the details of recovery coordination arrangements, arrangements made for clean-up operations as well as any safety information or restrictions prior to evacuees being allowed to return to their homes, and stand-down instructions for agencies not required for recovery operations. 5.34.7 Response impact assessment will inform the recovery impact assessment. 5.34.8 Response operations will conclude once all of the following conditions are met: a. The physical impact of the flood has ceased, and

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b. All requests for assistance related to the flood have been completed, and c. The need for warning and evacuation no longer exists, and d. Response to fire and hazardous material incidents have concluded (not including subsequent clean-up of contaminated sites), and e. All affected areas have had an ‘All Clear’ issued. Property Protection

5.35 MANAGING PROPERTY PROTECTION OPERATIONS

Strategy 5.35.1 Coordinate the protection of property of residents, businesses and essential infrastructure at risk of flood damage. Actions 5.35.2 The NSW SES is the responsible agency for the coordination of operations to protect property. 5.35.3 Property may be protected from floods by: a. Lifting or moving of household furniture. b. Lifting or moving commercial stock and equipment. c. Sandbagging to minimise entry of water into buildings. 5.35.4 The NSW SES maintains stocks of sandbags and a small amount of the Pallet Barrier System. 5.35.5 Property protection options are however very limited in the Georges River Valley due to the large number of properties that can be affected and the depth of floodwaters arising from severe flooding on the Georges River. Resupply

5.36 RESUPPLY OF ISOLATED COMMUNITIES AND PROPERTIES

Strategy 5.36.1 Resupply towns, villages, communities and properties which have become isolated as a consequence of flooding to minimise disruption of the community. Note that for the Georges River Basin, isolations will generally be for 1 to 2 days for larger floods with very limited isolations in smaller floods. Actions 5.36.2 The NSW SES is responsible for the coordination of resupply of flood affected communities as per the NSW State Flood Plan. 5.36.3 If flood predictions indicate that areas are likely to become isolated, NSW SES Incident Controller should advise businesses (normally through councils) that

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they should stock up on essential supplies. Advice of impending isolation should also be included in Flood Bulletins. 5.36.4 When isolation occurs, storekeepers will be expected to place orders for essential items on suppliers where they have a line of credit and to instruct those suppliers to package their goods and deliver them to points designated by the NSW SES. 5.36.5 Normal practice is for vetting committees to be established by councils to ensure that only essentials are ordered. It is often difficult for these committees to determine what constitute essential items. The best criteria are: a. Businesses requesting supplies are not using the flood as a means of restocking free of charge. b. No resupply aircraft should have spare capacity. 5.36.6 All reasonable effects will be made to deliver supplies, however where necessary the NSW SES will prioritise the delivery of items. 5.36.7 The NSW SES is prepared to deliver mail to isolated communities but may not be able to do so according to normal Australia Post timetables. 5.36.8 The NSW SES will assist hospitals with the resupply of linen and other consumables, by arranging suitable transport within flooded areas. 5.36.9 The resupply of isolated properties is a common requirement during floods and coordination can be difficult because requests can emanate from a variety of sources. Isolated properties may call their suppliers direct, place their orders through their own social networks or contact the NSW SES. 5.36.10 Some isolated households will not have the ability to purchase essential grocery items due to financial hardship. If an isolated household seeks resupply from the NSW SES and claims to be, or is considered to be, in dire circumstances, he/she is to be referred to Welfare Services for assessment of eligibility. Where financial eligibility criteria are met, Welfare Services will assist with the purchase of essential grocery items. Welfare Services will deliver the essential grocery items to the NSW SES designated loading point for transport. 5.36.11 Local suppliers will liaise with the NSW SES regarding delivery of resupply items to the designated loading point. 5.36.12 Local suppliers are responsible for packaging resupply items for delivery. 5.36.13 A flowchart illustrating the Resupply process is shown in Attachment 1. Please note that the flowchart outlines the resupply process but does not encompass all potential situations and/or outcomes.

5.37 RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCESS

Strategy 5.37.1 Minimise disruption upon the community by re-establishing access to properties, dwellings and impact areas.

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Actions 5.37.2 NSW SES Incident Controller is to coordinate the re-establishment of access. 5.37.3 Local Government Councils to coordinate the clearance of debris from Council managed roads and public land including beaches. 5.37.4 Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) coordinate the clearance of debris from RMS managed roads. 5.37.5 Engineering Services Functional Area can provide assistance with the coordination of this task. Rescue

5.38 FLOOD RESCUE OPERATIONS

Strategy 5.38.1 Rescue of people and domestic animals from floods in accordance with the NSW Flood Rescue Policy including where evacuation operations have not been successfully completed. Actions 5.38.2 The NSW SES will perform flood rescue, where training and equipment is suitable. 5.38.3 The NSW SES may request other emergency services to undertake flood rescues on behalf of the NSW SES. Emergency services must supply information regarding rescues performed to the NSW SES. 5.38.4 During flood operations the following types of flood rescue may be conducted: a. Rescue of people walking, riding or driving through floodwaters. b. Rescue of people or domestic animals stranded in flood waters and from remote areas. c. Rescue of possibly large numbers of stranded people or domestic animals from flood islands when road evacuation routes are cut (selection of rescue strategy). d. Flood Rescue - Emergency transport. e. Flood Rescue - Emergency medical transport. 5.38.5 Flood rescues will be coordinated by the Operations section in the Incident Control Centre or Operations Command Centre. 5.38.6 NSW SES Incident Controller/NSW SES Operations Controller will control flood rescue operations and use NSW SES flood rescue boats and rescue helicopters as required. 5.38.7 Requests for aero-medical transport will be referred to the NSW Ambulance. 5.38.8 The NSW SES Incident Controller may request Fire and Rescue NSW to:

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a. Provide specialist advice regarding hazardous material reports and impacts due to hazardous materials from flooded industrial/commercial premises. b. Provide decontamination facilities for flood rescue teams. After Action Review

5.39 AFTER ACTION REVIEWS AND DEBREIFS

Strategy 5.39.1 After Action Reviews are to be undertaken as soon as possible following each event. Actions 5.39.2 NSW SES Region/Local Controller is to coordinate the conduct of After Action Reviews involving the NSW SES Operations Controller, NSW SES Incident Controller/s and other stakeholders to consider the effectiveness of prevention and preparedness activities and response and recovery operations. 5.39.3 Findings from significant events are broadly shared and incorporated into improved disaster resilience planning and each item requiring further action is delegated to an organisation or individual to implement. 5.39.4 Follow-up to ensure the satisfactory completion of these actions will be undertaken by the respective Local Emergency Management Committees and respective Region Emergency Management Committee/s as appropriate.

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PART 6 - RECOVERY

6.1 CONCEPT OF RECOVERY OPERATIONS

6.1.1 This Plan describes the initiation of recovery, but not the arrangements for recovery itself. 6.1.2 Recovery operations will be initiated and conducted as outlined in Part 9 of NSW EMPLAN, NSW Recovery Plan and the relevant Region EMPLANs.

6.2 RECOVERY COORDINATION AT THE RIVER BASIN LEVEL

6.2.1 Recovery operations should initially commence at the local level, with significant responsibility for the well-being of local communities being retained by the Local Government Councils. 6.2.2 The NSW SES Incident Controller will ensure that planning for long-term recovery operations begins at the earliest opportunity, concurrently with response operations, initially through the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) and the Region Emergency Management Committee (REMC) in the event of flooding affecting several local areas. As soon as possible the LEMC or REMC will meet to discuss recovery implications including the need for a Recovery Committee. The LEMC or REMC will consider any impact assessment in determining the need for recovery arrangements. This is conveyed in the first instance to the State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON) for confirmation with the State Emergency Recovery Controller (SERCON). A detailed recovery handover will be provided to the recovery coordinator/SERCON at the conclusion of response operations. 6.2.3 Once the need for recovery has been identified, the SERCON, in consultation with the SEOCON, may recommend the appointment of a Local or Region Recovery Coordinator, depending on the scale of the anticipated recovery effort resulting from the particular flood, and nominate an appropriate candidate to the Minister for Emergency Services. 6.2.4 The SERCON may send a representative to the LEMC or REMC and subsequent recovery meetings to provide expert recovery advice and guidance. 6.2.5 The NSW SES Incident Controller/Operations Controller, Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) will attend recovery meetings to provide an overview of the emergency response operation. 6.2.6 The NSW SES Incident Controller/Operations Controller, the Regional Emergency Management Officer and appropriate Regional Functional Area Coordinators will be invited to the initial local meeting and to subsequent meetings as required. 6.2.7 The recovery committee will: a. Develop and maintain a Recovery Action Plan with an agreed exit strategy.

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b. Monitor and coordinate the activities of agencies with responsibility for the delivery of services during recovery. c. Ensure that relevant stakeholders, especially the communities affected, are involved in the development and implementation of recovery objectives and strategies and are informed of progress made. d. Provide the SERCON with an end of recovery report. e. Ensure the recovery is in line with the National Principles of Disaster Recovery and the NSW tenets. 6.2.8 In the event of an emergency which affects multiple regions, or is of state or national consequence, or where complex, long term recovery and reconstruction is required, it may be necessary to establish a State Recovery Committee and the appointment of a State Recovery Coordinator.

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MAP 1 - RIVER BASIN

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ATTACHMENT A – RESUPPLY FLOWCHART

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ATTACHMENT B – DAM FAILURE ARRANGEMENTS

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