2018-04-10 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 4 - Local Disaster Recovery Subplan

7.2      Infrastructure recovery
Depending on the nature of the event, infrastructure recovery may require more scope than
simply the restoration of essential services. The built environment is the physical foundation of
our society and damage to any part of it may have widespread impact on many sectors of the
community.

The complex character of the built environment is highly regulated and legislated. It has a mix
of public and private service providers, and has evolved over a long period of time so that it
incorporates facilities built to different standards. Ownership of elements in the built environment
brings another layer of complexity. Parts of the environment may be owned by multinational
companies, individuals, government, community groups and all manner of other entities.

Recovery of the built environment also provides opportunities to build to meet future community
needs. It supports the recovery of the social, economic and natural environments of the
community. A coordinated response across levels of government, the private sector and the
community is necessary to resolve complex infrastructure recovery issues.

It is, therefore, important that the Infrastructure Subgroup’s membership reflects the scope of
infrastructure recovery required as defined in the recovery needs analysis.

This section details the matters the Infrastructure Subgroup should consider when addressing
infrastructure recovery.

7.2.1    Categories of infrastructure recovery

The following categories of recovery will need to be considered by the Infrastructure Subgroup:
 Essential services
 Transport networks
 Rural infrastructure
 Residential infrastructure
 Commercial and industrial infrastructure
 Public buildings and assets

7.2.2    Essential services

Communication systems
Communication systems are essential to effective recovery. Communications underpin social
and business networks and are essential in ensuring effective public information. The
Infrastructure Subgroup should involve the communication sector to assist in prioritising
communication network repair and reconstruction.

Energy supplies
This includes liquid fuel, electricity and gas. Consequences of loss of energy supplies may be
widespread. The Subgroup should consider the following possible impacts of power supply
disruption:
 Perishable food spoilage
 Impacts on supply of essential services such as water, sewerage and gas
 Failure of communication and information technology-based systems
 Disruption to fuel distribution
 Potentially high demand for portable generators
 Security and safety concerns due to lack of lighting and loss of traffic lights and rail signals,
    compromising transportation
 Impacts on commercial and industrial activities
 Impact on primary production
 Impact on other key essential services such as food storage and distribution

Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Subplan 2018                                                 Page 48