Enhanced Natural Disaster Mitigation and Management

D2/2004

2 February 2004

Natural disaster mitigation, relief and management arrangements in Australia will be significantly upgraded under new measures recommended by the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) review of natural disaster management.

The report, Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming Mitigation, Relief and Recovery, was released today by Ken Matthews, Chairman of the COAG High Level Group on the Review of Natural Disaster Relief and Mitigation Arrangements.

Mr Matthews said the report would assist in the development of an enhanced national framework for natural disaster management for th benefit of all Australians.

"This framework will bring consistency and cooperation to the way we deal with natural disasters," Mr Matthews said.

"The implementation of these recommendations will see a significant shift in Commonwealth-State natural disaster management arrangements: from reaction and response to more emphasis on preparedness and mitigation.

"Natural disasters are traumatic, and cost Australian communities hundreds of millions of dollars each year. However, more can be done to prepare for such events and to mitigate their impact.

"This report provides a practical and strategic approach for all spheres of government and the community to work in partnership to protect against, and assist in recovery from, the impacts of natural disasters."

Implementation of the report's recommendations will be overseen by the Australian Emergency Management Committee (AEMC). The AEMC is coordination by Emergency Management Australia.

The COAG report, Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming Mitigation, Relief and Recovery, is available from the DOTARS website.

Media contact:

Wendy Smith; Department of Transport and Regional Services (02) 6274 7304 / 0427 195 911

Alastair Wilson; Emergency Management Australia (02) 6266 5223 / 0408 606 462