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> Managemet Phases > Prevention
and Preparedness
 
Prevention
Prevention
includes the identification of hazards, the assessment of threats
to life and property, and the taking of measures to reduce potential
loss of life and property damage, sometimes known as disaster
mitigation.
Mitigation
measures range from community awareness campaigns to increase
knowledge of how to deal with disaster situations, land use planning
and design decisions to stop development which may be dangerous
in the event of a disaster, to capital works such as levee bank
construction to reduce the impacts of flooding. All mitigation
measures are important as they can not only reduce the cost of
disasters to the community, but they help save lives.
Disaster Managers
at all levels are responsible for using a risk management process
to identify prevention and mitigation options.
Main
Elements of the Disaster Risk Management
Process
Preparedness
Preparedness
includes arrangements or plans to deal with a disaster or the
effects of a disaster. Disaster District and Local Government
Plans are developed to provide for the activation of the Disaster
Management System and provision of resources to be used in
case of a disaster.
Key
Queensland disaster mitigation initiatives include:
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The
establishment of a State Mitigation Committee.
This Committee was established by Cabinet and is chaired
by the Director-General, Department of Emergency Services.
The role of the State Mitigation Committee is to provide
high level advice to the Government on mitigation issues.
It is supported by a number of whole-of-Government Task
Groups examining specific strategic issues. A key issue
is funding for mitigation measures and research projects.
For further information click here (links to EMQ site/Mitigation
- info on State Mitigation Committee).
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Funding
of the Local Government Mitigation Project
In a cooperative effort with Local Government, the State
Government is contributing over $500,000 to a major mitigation
study in three Queensland centres, Cairns, Mackay and Hervey
Bay. The consultants to the project are examining major
hazards confronting the cities, analysing the risks, and
developing a range of mitigation options for use by the
three Local Governments. This will further develop and refine
a disaster risk management template which can be used by
all Local Governments to assess their risk and develop mitigation
strategies.
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Changes
to the Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements (NDRA )to encourage
Local Governments to practice mitigation
A 1998 Cabinet Submission provided a number of incentives
to smaller Local Governments and River Improvement Trusts
to practice mitigation measures, through adjustments to
the State component of the NDRA. As an incentive to small
Local Governments with a rate base of $3 million or less,
the expenditure they must demonstrate on disaster costs
before NDRA funds can be accessed has been reduced on the
condition that the Local Government has previously developed
an approved disaster mitigation plan. For further information
about Nature Disaster Relief Arrangements click
here.
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The
Local Government Education and Awareness Program
This Program was conducted in 1999 and 2000 and provided
comprehensive workshops on the disaster risk management
process to all Local Governments and Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Councils in Queensland. This Program was
an important initiative in convincing Local Governments
of the importance of mitigation to community safety, as
well as to highlight its links with future Natural Disaster
Relief Assistance funding.
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Development
of a State Planning Policy for Disaster Mitigation
One of the most important and cost effective mitigation measures
is appropriate land use planning. Disaster Mitigation Unit,
in conjunction with the Department for Local Government and
Planning, is developing a State Planning Policy for Land Use
Planning and Development Assessment. This Policy would help
Local Governments in decision making processes concerning
development applications in areas subject to natural disasters.
For further information about the proposed State Planning
Policy, click
here. |
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