Heading up the largest recovery and rebuilding program in Victoria’s history, the Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Christine Nixon said that after a disaster such as the February 2009 bushfires, for many affected communities recovery means a new normal – in many respects things will never be the same again.
Speaking at the Local Government Managers Australia’s National Congress in May, Christine Nixon said that drought, low rainfall and high temperatures in early 2009 culminated in 46.4 degrees, high winds and four per cent humidity on 7 February. She said that in the days leading up to Black Saturday, 374 people had died from heat related illnesses.
“On the day there was a total of 700 fires, most of which were dealt with but some developed,” she said. “Fire spotting was happening up to 25 kilometres from fire fronts and when the change came through there was no rain with it.”
Christine Nixon said that it is important that lessons are leant from this disaster and the recovery process. She urged councils to contact those municipalities that have gone through this experience.
“In Victoria many people live in bushfire prone areas,” she said. “Half a million properties in the State are at risk.”
She said that community engagement during the recovery process is vital.
“Get people together and listen to them,” she said. “Tell people what is happening and let them know that you don’t have all the answers, and above all be consistent.”
Senior Recovery Advisor and Professor
Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in USA,
Daniel Alesch, is a leading expert in the impact of extreme events on businesses and communities.
Also speaking on the aftermath and consequences when extreme events and communities collide at the National Congress, he said that after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans the recovery cost for the City Council per person was $20,000.
“Because the Council was not in a strong position before this event, recovery has been slow,” he said. “People who had the resources to shift elsewhere have done so, those who didn’t have this option have come back.”
He said after such an event some businesses will close, putting people out of work, and Council revenues shrink.
“Increased costs coupled with falling revenues place enormous pressures on a council,” he said. “Heavy workloads and stress on staff will all have a toll.”
Daniel Alesch said that on the brighter side, huge events are rare, however, it is vital to have risk management strategies in place because smaller events can have profound and lasting effects on an organisation.
He said that it is important for councils to identify and assess risks; make sure residents are aware of these; control development in high risk areas; and have quality building codes in place that deliver resistant and resilient infrastructure.
“Create a capable and effective emergency response with adequate warning systems,” he said. “Educate residents to protect themselves.”
