2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                            Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

process will enable the delivery of recovery programs and activities that are embraced by
the community. 1

3.4 Ensuring coordination of all activities
Successful recovery requires a planned, coordinated and adaptive approach based on
continuous assessment of impact and needs. It requires skilled and trusted leadership,
clearly stated shared goals based on desired outcomes, good information gathering and
planning processes, teamwork among all supporting agencies and community groups, and
clear decision making and reporting structures.

3.5 Employing effective communication
Effective communication is vital to achieve the above principles. It should be relevant, timely,
clear, accurate, targeted, credible and consistent. Communications with the community must
be two way and input and feedback should be sought and considered. Information must be
accessible to a variety of audiences in diverse situations using a variety of means. To
ensure communications are effective and relevant an officer from the council’s community
engagement team needs to be a member of the LDRC

3.6 Acknowledging and building capacity
Successful recovery recognises, supports and builds on community, individual and
organisational capacity. Recovery planners should assess gaps between existing and
required capability and capacity. They should quickly identify and mobilise community skills
and resources and acknowledge that existing resources may be stretched requiring
additional resources to be mobilised. Recovery should consider how to sustain effort over
anticipated recovery timeframes. Opportunities to share transfer and develop knowledge,
skills and training should be promoted. There should be a clear understanding of when and
how to disengage. Disengagement should be well planned and communicated.


4. Re-establishing resilience as soon as possible after an event
One of the aims of recovery is to help re-establish individuals and community resilience.
and to build community connections and assets that support this process as soon as
possible. This means developing strategies with individuals, businesses and communities to
help them prepare for possible events and including these arrangements in relevant plans.
It means working with leaders and their networks to understand what can be improved after
an event to increase individual and community resilience. Recovery provides an opportunity
to rebuild the community back stronger and better.


5. Post disaster psychology
All emergencies cause a range of stressors on the individual resulting in a broad range of
responses. Typically these are ‘normal’ responses to an abnormal event that has touched
the lives of an individual, a family or a community. It is important that those planning
recovery and those implementing recovery services are aware of the psychological effects of
disasters on individuals, families and the community in order to better deliver recovery
outcomes.

Immediately following an emergency, people primarily seek practical assistance and
reassurance in an emotionally supportive manner. The emotional impact of traumatic events
is very real. Strong feelings may arise when the experience is talked about. Increased worry
may interfere with day-to-day living and the experience may leave people shaken and
worried about the future. However, most people return to their ‘usual functioning level’ given
time and the support of family and friends.


1
  It is also important to involve community leaders in the preparedness phase to increase community
resilience and decrease the impact of an event and the resultant work needed in the response and
recovery phases.
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