2017-10-10 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 7 - Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2018

This Plan identifies that public information and warnings provided by the Local Group shall be
provided mainly through broadcast media (radio and TV). Other alerts or warnings such as those
delivered through social media and the internet, the use of SEWS (Standard Emergency Warning
System) or the national Emergency Alert (EA) telephone and SMS messaging system will be used
to support and reinforce the warning messages provided through broadcast media. The
Queensland Government and Noosa Council customer service centres will also be used to support
and emphasise the messages provided through broadcast media.

The Mayor of Noosa, the officer in charge of the lead agency, the DDC and the LDC shall be the
key sources of information to the community regarding the status of the response to the
emergency and any other associated threats or required community actions. The role of the Local
Group Media Officer is to support these spokespersons and to ensure a coordinated and
consistent message is broadcast to the community.


10.5.2 Public warning system
Disaster and emergency warnings need to be timely, consistent and succinct, so that people can
take appropriate action. To ensure that disaster warnings are coordinated and timely, the Local
Group has developed a public information and warnings operational sub-plan.

This Plan recognises that individuals are likely to hear about a potential disaster situation from a
variety of sources and most will seek to confirm that message before they take any action.
Research indicates that if the emergency warning is not confirmed then it may be ignored.
Therefore, the frequency and timing of emergency warnings will be carefully considered. So long
as the information is consistent, emergency warnings issued from two or more relevant agencies
will help to confirm and reinforce the warning message.

During the life of this Plan the LDC, Local Group Media Officer, Area Director QFES and the DDC
(or delegate) will work with broadcast media outlets to improve arrangements and systems for the
provision of a consistent approach to the broadcast of emergency warnings to the public in Noosa
Shire and across the Sunshine Coast region.

A component of exercises will be to practise the preparation of public information and
dissemination of warning messages and products both for broadcast and dissemination through
social media.


10.6 Declaration of a disaster situation
In accordance with S64 of the Act, the DDC may, with the approval of the Minister, declare a
disaster situation for the district or one or more local government area within the district in whole or
in part. As outlined in S75 and S77 of the Act, the declaration confers extra powers on particular
groups to perform actions, give directions and control movements within the declared area.

In declaring a disaster situation, the DDC is to be satisfied that a disaster has happened, is
happening or is likely to happen and it will be necessary, or reasonably likely to be necessary, to
exercise declared disaster powers, to prevent or minimise the loss of human life, illness or injury to
humans, property loss or damage, or damage to the environment. Before declaring a disaster
situation, the DDC is to take reasonable steps to consult with local government in the proposed
declared area.

The declaration of a disaster situation does not impact the requirements of a local government
under the Act to manage disaster operations in the area.


10.6.1 Relationship between activation, declarations and financial assistance


Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2018                                                       Page 62