In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Genia McCaffery, President of the Local Government Association of New South Wales.
In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in Australia, health authorities, Federal and State, will have primary responsibility to implement measures to contain the spread of illness and treatment, but Local Government still has an important role in managing problems at a local level.
While there is no cause for panic, history is full of examples that being prepared in the face of past adversity is the best form of defence against unknown factors in the future.
NSW has had to contain an outbreak of Newcastle Disease previously in the chicken industry. The Local Government and Shires Associations in New South Wales signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NSW Agriculture in 2003 which outlines the role Local Government would play in the event of being called on by national and state health authorities for assistance.
It makes us co partners in a State disaster plan where NSW Agriculture would act as the combative agency for exotic animal and plant disease operations.They would be responsible for the detection, diagnosis, risk assessment, surveillance, destruction and disposal of infected animals or plants.
NSW Agriculture would also be primarily responsible for quarantine controls for the movement of people and animals (including bird life where relevant).
For our part, the Local Government and Shires Associations would encourage our members to help provide a range of services, including manpower, equipment, administrative support and community liaison. Council Environmental Health Officers could play a role in health protection and disease prevention, and potentially assist in the implementation of an emergency plan, coordinated by other levels of government.
Council staff volunteers engaged in voluntary work or under the direction of NSW Agriculture would be covered by the latter’s indemnity insurance.
Costs incurred by Councils assisting in emergency responses, such as excavation of burial pits, will be reimbursed by emergency management arrangements. And we would accept invitations for nominees to be invited to assist in emergency operation centres in any area affected by an emergency.
