MINUTES
THE HILLS SHIRE
LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 4
THJULY 2016 COMMENCING AT 1.00PM
THE HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL
3 COLUMBIA COURT, BAULKHAM HILLS (NEXT TO NOVOTEL HOTEL)
COMMUNITY MEETING ROOMS 1 & 2
All correspondence to be addressed to the:
Local Emergency Management Officer
The Hills Shire Council, PO Box 7046, Baulkham Hills BC 2153 Telephone: (02) 9843 0205 Fax: (02) 9843 0409
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS/OBSERVERS
The Chair opened the meeting by acknowledging Steve Egginton and Alex Scott on their receipt of medals as part of the recent Queens Birthday honours list. He also welcomed Diane Anderson from St John Ambulance and David Screen from Metro Trains Sydney to their first meeting.
Michael Lathlean (THSC – CHAIR, LEMO)
Steve Egginton (NSW Police Force – Deputy LEOCON) Matt Harris (NSW Police Force – The Hills LAC)
Jamie Horsfield (REMO)
Phil Bow (NSW Rural Fire Service) Alex Scott (Fire & Rescue NSW)
Paul Turner (Ambulance Service of NSW) Evelyn Lester (SES)
Heather Gwilliam (Anglicare) Glen Streat (Red Cross)
Diane Anderson (St John Ambulance) Dave Wood (Castle Hill RSL)
David Screen (Metro Trains Sydney) Craig Samuel (Transurban – M2)
2. APOLOGIES
Rob Critchlow (NSW Police Force – LEOCON) Steve Coleman (Alt. LEMO)
Melissa Beer (Endeavour Energy) Jonathon Pallot (Endeavour Energy) Pat Hobday (Transurban – NorthConnex)
3. LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP LIST
The list of the Committee’s current members and observers will be circulated at the meeting for updating.
4. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 14TH MARCH 2016
A copy of the Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 2016 was attached to the Agenda.
The Chair noted an error in the recommendation on Item 9 relating to the adoption of the amended EMPLAN and Consequence Management Guides. It should have read:
‘The Committee adopt the Draft EMPLAN, including Consequence Management Guides, as distributed’.
Resolved: The Committee adopt the Minutes of the LEMC Meeting of 14th March 2016 including the proposed amendment to the recommendation on Item 9.
Moved by Alex Scott and Seconded by Phil Bow
5. OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING 5.1 Blue Mountains Fires Recovery Presentation
See Agenda Item.
5.2 School Bus Evacuation Planning
LEMO advised that he had yet to organise a meeting as the CDC Buses observer representative on the Committee was on extended leave.
6. BLUE MOUNTAINS FIRES RECOVERY OPERATION
Diana Bernardi, the Red Cross’ Emergency Services Manager NSW/ACT, has been invited to the meeting to give a presentation on recovery operations associated with the 2013 Blue Mountains Fires.
Resolved: The Committee receive the presentation and thank Diane for her attendance.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Evelyn Lester
7. SHOWGROUND ROAD UPGRADE
As part of the Showground Road upgrade project, RMS and its contractor Seymour Whyte Construction is required to consult with the Committee in regard to a site specific emergency plan that has been developed for working in the vicinity of 132kV cables.
Representatives of RMS and Seymour Whyte were in attendance and gave a presentation on the emergency plan. Of particular interest was the impact on electricity supplies to the entire Castle Hill are if the high voltage cables happen to be damaged during the course of the work.
Resolved: The Committee receive the presentation and thank the RMS and Seymour Whyte representatives for their attendance.
Moved by Matt Harris and Seconded by Alex Scott
8. REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC) meetings were held on Thursday 17th March 2016 at the new Parramatta Council Operations Centre at Rydalmere and on Friday 3rd June at the new Riverstone Police station.
Matters discussed at the meetings included:
17th March
presentation from the NSW Telco Authority on assistance they provide to the REOCON and REMC
presentation from NSW RFS on the Regional EMPLAN
presentation from the Office of Emergency Management on recent changes to that office
3rd June
presentation by representative of Macquarie University on its ‘Managing Animals in Disasters’ Project
general discussion on preparations for East Coast low predicted for the following weekend
Resolved: The Committee note the matters discussed at the REMC meetings on 17th March and 3rd June.
Moved by Matt Harris and Seconded by Michael Lathlean
9. UPDATE OF EMPLAN AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT GUIDES
At its meeting on 9th November 2015 the Committee adopted the Draft EMPLAN and resolved that it be submitted to the REMC for endorsement. However at the time, the Consequence Management Guides (CMGs) which are included as an Annexure to the document had not been completed.
Rather than forwarding an incomplete EMPLAN to the REMC for endorsement, the LEMO chose to completed the CMGs and incorporate them into the EMPLAN as Annexure F.
A copy of the Draft EMPLAN (including CMGs) was distributed separately to Members and Observers prior to the Committee’s previous meeting on 17th March where it was subsequently endorsed. The Draft EMPLAN was then forwarded to the REMO for review by the members of the REMC.
As part of that review, a number of comments were received back from REMC members and these have largely been incorporated as further amendments to the Draft EMPLAN. A copy of the amended Draft EMPLAN was distributed to members and observers by email on 6th June 2016.
Before the amended Draft EMPLAN can be submitted to the REMC for endorsement, it needs to be formally adopted by the members of the Committee.
Resolved: The Committee adopt the Draft EMPLAN (including Consequence Management Guides) and submit the document to the REMC for endorsement.
Moved by Phil Bow and Seconded by Alex Scott
10. UPDATE ON OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JUNE EAST COAST LOW WEATHER SYSTEM
As the Committee is aware, a significant East Coast Low weather system hit the Sydney coast on the weekend of 4th and 5th June with heavy rain and high winds.
This weather system also coincided with king tides that caused major erosion problems along coastal areas on the northern beaches of Sydney.
The Hills Shire was relatively lucky with only minor flooding on the Hawkesbury River, the short term closure of several road bridges, vehicle ferries and causeways, and relatively limited property damage from falling trees and stormwater drainage issues. Nevertheless all of the emergency services and Council responded to a large number of calls for assistance, with the SES receiving approximately 180 jobs in total. The repair cost of damage to Council’s assets was approximately $300K.
As a result of the damage across the state, former Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Owens was appointed as the State Recovery Coordinator and Daniel Simpkins from the Department of Premier and Cabinet was appointed as the Region Recovery Coordinator.
Following a teleconference of the REMC on Thursday 9th June, it was agreed that as the damage across the North West Metropolitan Region was largely confined to the northern beaches, a Region Recovery Committee would not be established.
However a Local Recovery Committee for the new Northern Beaches Council area was established.
Evelyn Lester advised that another East Coast Low was predicted for the Sydney region later in the week but was not expected to create too many problems.
Resolved: The Committee receive the information.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Matt Harris
11. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY CHANGES
On 12th May the NSW State Government announced changes to a number of Council’s across the State involving boundary adjustments and mergers.
For The Hills Shire this has meant that the area south of the M2 and east of Windsor Rd (Northmead, Carlingford, North Rocks and Oatlands) has been transferred to the new City of Parramatta Council. For some reason (and we don’t know why) the existing boundary with the City of Parramatta south of the M2 between Windsor Rd and Old Windsor Rd (Winston Hills) has remained unchanged. This means that the Winston Mall shopping centre, the industrial properties on the northern side of Gibbon Rd, and the Sierra Place flood detention basin still remain within The Hills Shire.
The suggested merger between The Hills Shire and Hawkesbury City Councils did not proceed as part of the May 12th announcement but it is suspected that some boundary changes with Hawkesbury City Council may yet occur at some point in the future.
Following advice from the REMO, the EMPLAN that was considered previously on this Agenda has not been amended to reflect the boundary change with the City of Parramatta other than the Don Moore Community Centre at North Rocks being removed from the list of evacuation centres. The reason for this is that the major risks to The Hills Shire have not changed. However the EMPLAN will need to be reviewed again at a later date to reflect the boundary changes.
An arrangement has been reached with the City of Parramatta that will involve The Hills Shire continuing to deliver certain services (waste collection, asset maintenance etc.) for a period of time until the transfer arrangements can be finalised. The SES and RFS will continue to provide services to this area under their existing mutual aid and out of area response arrangements for the time being.
One of the most significant impacts on the City of Parramatta is that they will be inheriting some large areas of bushfire prone land that will have implications for them as part of their statutory responsibilities under the Rural Fires Act. These issues will have to be worked through between the Councils, RFS and F & R NSW.
Due to a court case before the NSW Land & Environment Court, the NSW Government is yet to make an announcement on the proposed merger of Hornsby and Kuringai Councils. If a merger proceeds, it is not known whether this will impact on The Hills Shire.
Resolved: The Committee receive the information.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Phil Bow
12. ORANGE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
In previous years Committee members have participated in Emergency Services Expos at the Crestwood Fair and Orange Blossom Festival.
After more than 20 years, the decision has been taken to merge the Crestwood Fair into the Orange Blossom Festival which is to be held between 10am and 5pm on the weekend of 17th and 18th September at Castle Hill Showground. Festival organisers are again seeking an agreement from the emergency services to participate in an Expo as part of the festival.
Although the festival organisers are proposing to have the Expo on both days, the Chairman has raised concerns about the commitment of personnel and resources that would be required for attendance on both days.
Resolved: The Committee’s emergency service representatives agreed to participate in the Emergency Services Expo on the second day of the Orange Blossom Festival on Sunday 18th September 2016.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Matt Harris
13. TRAINING
In 2014 the Chair/LEMO distributed a copy of information provided by the then REMO inviting nominations for upcoming emergency management courses. One of those courses is the ‘Introduction to Emergency Management’ which is a pre- requisite for all other higher level courses.
In the information provided by the REMO it was stated that all courses completed prior to 2012 were no longer accepted as a prerequisite for higher courses.
Therefore members interested in undertaking any of those higher courses may have to again undertake the ‘Introduction to Emergency Management’ course.
This is a one day, face to face course. Participants are also required to complete an eLearning online short course titled ‘Emergency Management Overview’ before attending the ‘Introduction to Emergency Management’ course.
Several Members and Observers of the Committee have attended the course and others encouraged to do so.
Details on all emergency management training courses can be found on the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services website www.mpes.nsw.gov.au.
Nomination for attendance at any of the courses can also be made through the website.
Resolved: The Committee receive the information on training.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Alex Scott
14. SYDNEY METRO NORTHWEST
At previous meetings of the Committee, discussions have taken place about the desire to have a representative of Northwest Rapid Transit (NRT) to attend future meetings as an observer. NRT is the company that is currently ‘fitting out’ the Metro and will be running it on behalf of the government for 15 years.
On 6th April the LEMO met with David Screen, the person appointed by NRT as Station Operations Manager, to discuss a range of issues associated with the Metro including emergency management. David has agreed to the importance of NRT being involved in the Committee and agreed to attend future meetings as an observer.
David provided a brief outline on Metro Trains Sydney’s role as the operator of the Sydney Metro Northwest railway.
Resolved: The Committee receive the information on the proposed involvement of NRT on the Committee.
Moved by Michael Lathlean and Seconded by Matt Harris
15. REPORTS FROM MEMBER AND OBSERVOR ORGANISATIONS REMO
nothing additional to report
NSW Police Force
nothing significant to report other than actively involved in issues associated with the recent weather events
some discussion on issues associated with the closing of the Windsor bridge and the way that he information was conveyed to the public
Fire and Rescue NSW
new training facility opened at Erskine Park to replace the old Alexandria facility
brigades have been involved in quite a few hazard reduction and pile burns in bushland areas including Fred Caterson Reserve
reduction in the number of fire calls compared to the same period 12 months ago
NSW Ambulance Service
nothing to report Rural Fire Service
also been involved in quite a few hazard reduction burns
involved in assisting SES all over Sydney during the recent period of poor weather
State Emergency Service
the Unit has attended to 249 local jobs (5,503 hours) as well as 797 hours to out of area assistance (Blue Mountains, Holroyd and Penrith), 744 hours to community events (Operation Tabellla, Castle Hill Show, Anzac Sunday March, Anzac Day Dawn Service and Murray Farm Public School fireworks) and 3,796 hours to training activities
training activities include flood awareness skills at Penrith Whitewater stadium, flood boat exercises on Sydney Harbour, general rescue and storm damage and navigation
Red Cross
not a lot of local activity but members did participate in out-of-area phone out-reach services
Anglicare
out of area services provided to Picton, Windang and communities along the Georges River during the recent weather events
Tollaust Pty Limited
work on NorthConnnex well underway with west-bound lanes on M2 reduced from three to two
St John Ambulance
nothing to report Metro Trains Sydney
nothing to report
Resolved: The Committee note the reports from member and Observer organisations
Moved by Phil Bow and Seconded by Evelyn Lester
16. LEMO’S LEAVE
The LEMO will be on leave overseas from Thursday 22nd September until Saturday 15th October 2016 inclusive.
During that period the Alternate LEMO will be available except for the 23rd to 25th September when he may have to be interstate due to a family commitment. If that occurs, Ken Willimott (Council’s Manager – Infrastructure Projects and a
former Alternate LEMO) has kindly agreed to cover the role during those few days.
Resolved: The Committee note the LEMOs proposed leave.
Moved by Alex Scott and Seconded by Matt Harris
17. GENERAL BUSINESS
No general Business to discuss.
18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Local Emergency Management Committee will be held on Monday 7th November 2016 at the Council Administration Centre commencing at 1.00pm and preceded by lunch at 12.30pm.
