Responsibilities of Government

The responsibilities of government when responding to any natural hazard are:

Local government

– Ensuring that all local disaster planning and preparedness measures are taken – Routinely conducting disaster risk assessments on their communities

– Ensuring there are adequate local disaster response resources, including volunteer resources

– Reducing hazards through land use planning

– Public education and awareness

– Providing local disaster warnings

– Representing community interests in disaster management to other levels of government

State and Territory governments:

– Regulatory arrangements that protect life, property and the environment

– Ensuring the provision of appropriate disaster awareness, education, and warning systems

– Primary responsibility for providing adequately prepared and capable emergency services directly to the community

Commonwealth government:

– Provide leadership and collaborate with other levels of government in disaster research, information management and policy making

– Mobilise resources when State and Territory response resources are insufficient

– Provide national support for disaster relief and community recovery