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

2.3. Principles for disaster recovery
The following principles that guide the Noosa Recovery Subplan are based on the National
Principles for Disaster Recovery detailed in the Australian Emergency Management Handbook
2 – Community Recovery and underpin recovery planning and operations in Queensland:
 Understanding the context
 Recognising complexity
 Using local, community-led approaches
 Ensuring coordination of all activities
 Employing effective communication
 Acknowledging and rebuilding capacity
 Identifying lessons and building resilience.

2.3.1 Understanding the context

Recovery must be relevant to the communities affected. No two disaster events are the same
and the context of each event needs to be taken into account when planning and implementing
recovery programs and activities. Understanding the impacts and circumstances of each
individual event in the broader context of the Noosa Shire is needed to ensure recovery effort
meets the community need.
2.3.2 Recognising complexity

Recovery is complex and dynamic. Information on disaster impact is usually limited at first and
then becomes clearer as time passes. There are diverse and sometimes conflicting needs, wants
and expectations within the community which may also change over time. As a result, priorities
will shift and change. Recovery actions may require a variety of approaches and may leave long-
term legacies.

The four functions of recovery often overlap and the relationship, or balance, between them must
be considered based on the context of the event and the community(ies) affected. This
complexity must be recognised by those developing and implementing recovery programs and
activities.
2.3.3 Using community-led approaches

Recovery should be community-led which requires engaging with communities (listening and
talking). It means empowering the community to be involved and enabling their participation in
the recovery process. Communities who have no say in their recovery will take longer to recover.
Building strong partnerships and involving community leaders in the recovery process will enable
the delivery of recovery programs and activities that are embraced by the community.
2.3.4 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.
2.3.5 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 Council’s community engagement
team will be a member of the Local Disaster Recovery Group.


Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Subplan 2018                                               Page 6