From bushfires and floods to severe storms and other unexpected events, emergency preparedness plays a vital role in protecting the Glenorchy community.
Mayor Sue Hickey said preparing for emergencies is one of Council’s most important responsibilities, helping to safeguard residents, infrastructure and community assets before disasters occur.
“Council has responsibilities under legislation to help protect the health and safety of our community,” Mayor Hickey said.
“We need to protect our residents from natural disasters and catastrophic events, while also safeguarding Council assets and infrastructure that our community relies on every day.”
To achieve this, Glenorchy City Council takes an all-risks approach to emergency management through its Municipal Emergency Management Plan, which considers a wide range of potential emergencies that could affect the municipality.
“We plan for bushfires, flooding, severe storms and other emergency situations that could impact our city,” Mayor Hickey said.
While emergency response often attracts public attention during a crisis, much of Council’s work happens long before an emergency occurs.
In recent years, Council has updated its Municipal Emergency Management Plan, developed a Flood Action Plan and continued to work closely with the State Emergency Service (SES) on community protection planning.
Council also invests in practical measures to reduce risks across the municipality.
Its Bushfire Management Team manages fuel loads and maintains fire trails to help minimise the risk of bushfires, while dedicated emergency management committees ensure planning and preparedness remain a priority throughout the year.
Should a major emergency occur, Council has evacuation centres at the Metro Football Club and Moonah Community Centre, providing safe locations for residents who may need support during an emergency.
Emergency preparedness is not something Council does alone.
Mayor Hickey said strong partnerships with emergency services, government agencies and industry are critical to ensuring a coordinated response when disasters strike.
“Our Glenorchy Municipal Emergency Management Committee brings together Tasmania Fire Service, Tasmania Police, the SES, Ambulance Tasmania, Nyrstar and other key organisations,” she said.
“We also participate in State Government-led emergency management committees to make sure planning and response efforts are coordinated across the region.”
Council’s role also extends to maintaining and improving critical infrastructure to help communities withstand and recover from emergency events.
“For flooding events, we make sure bridges and culverts have the capacity to manage increased stormwater flows,” Mayor Hickey said.
“Our Stormwater System Management Plan and flood mapping help us understand risks across our catchments and plan future development accordingly.”
Training and education have also become increasingly important components of Council’s preparedness efforts.
Staff have completed person-centred emergency planning training to better support people in the disability sector, while key personnel have evacuation centre training to strengthen Council’s emergency management capability.
“We’ve invested heavily in training because preparation and knowledge are essential during an emergency,” Mayor Hickey said.
Council has also upgraded its flood monitoring systems, improving its ability to monitor conditions and provide timely information when flood risks increase.
Despite these efforts, emergency management is becoming increasingly challenging.
Mayor Hickey said climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense weather events, while ageing infrastructure and population growth are placing additional pressure on emergency planning and response systems.
“Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of emergency events,” she said.
“We’re also dealing with infrastructure that wasn’t necessarily designed for today’s conditions, alongside the challenges that come with a growing population.”
However, she believes one of the greatest risks is complacency.
“Emergencies can happen with very little warning, so it’s important that everyone takes steps to be prepared,” Mayor Hickey said.
For residents, preparation does not need to be complicated. Mayor Hickey encourages everyone to start by developing a household evacuation plan and discussing it with family members.
“If there is one thing every resident should do today, it’s create an evacuation plan for yourself and your family,” she said.
“Make sure everyone knows where to go, how you’ll communicate and what you’ll take with you if you need to leave quickly.”
She also encourages residents to familiarise themselves with local evacuation centres and seek out reliable information from trusted sources before an emergency occurs.
“There is a lot of excellent information available through both the SES and Council websites,” Mayor Hickey said.
“The more prepared we are as individuals, families and communities, the better we can respond when emergencies occur. Taking a little time to prepare today can make a significant difference tomorrow.”
