I encourage community members to contribute to the review of Norfolk Island's emergency management, with the commencement of the consultations to support the review.
This review is not in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a review of the broader emergency management arrangements. In December last year, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino announced funding for an independent review of the emergency management governance arrangements on Norfolk Island to ensure they best meet the needs of the local community.
As was communicated last month, independent consultant Cube Group is conducting the Review, which will also consider the arrangements in place for emergency services.
It is important the community and all those involved in emergency management are supported to effectively prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters with robust arrangements. In our current environment, including COVID-19, ongoing water restrictions and recent cyclone threat, there has never been a more important time to undertake this review.
Consultation with key stakeholders and the broader community will be taking place over the next couple of months, starting with a community survey.
It is vital the review is informed by the experience of those who understand the unique local operating environment and challenges as well as the opportunities for improving emergency management for Norfolk Island. The role of local resources including community members, local government and agency and services representatives is critical in effective emergency and disaster management.
In line with COVID-19 restrictions and safety requirements, the consultations are currently being conducted remotely by the Cube review team. The community survey, which is available here—iquestion.i-link.com.au/Q433772/index.php—will be open until 11 September.
You can also find it on the Norfolk Island Regional Council website and the Department's Review webpage, at the links below:
www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/help-improve-our-emergency-management-arrangements
www.regional.gov.au/territories/norfolk_island/norfolk_island_projects/review_emergency_management_governance_arrangements.aspx
I encourage all in the community to help review and enhance our emergency management arrangements. I thank the community of Norfolk Island in advance for your contribution and support.
If you have any queries about the community engagement for the Review, please contact my office, or the Review Team can be contacted via email on norfolkemreview@cubegroup.com.au.
Eric Hutchinson
Administrator of Norfolk Island
27 August 2020