Mayor of Singleton calls for process improvements to state’s emergency
Published on 24 July 2023
The Mayor of Singleton has called on the NSW Government to fund process improvements to emergency management responses and disaster recovery ahead of its first budget, due to be handed down in September.
Cr Sue Moore said a year after major flooding devastated the village of Broke, work had finally commenced on repairing Broke Road, which was severely damaged during the disaster event.
The mayor has previously written to the Premier and to the Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib to advocate for a host of improvements to state government emergency management processes. Cr Moore said a centralised agency that was properly resourced with appropriate delegations would be a “great place to start”.
“The Singleton local government area is in the unique and unfortunate position of having endured five floods in 16 months between March 2021 and July 2022 – making us unofficial experts in disaster response and recovery – and we have a list of suggested improvements for the new state government,” she said.
“Funding limitations, resourcing, uncertainties around responsibilities, material availability as well as overcomplicated government red tape have meant repairs to Broke Road are finally beginning 12 months on – and it’s just not good enough.
“Improved processes are required, both the immediate response and ongoing recovery of disasters, with a greater emphasis on local needs and information, as well as a centralised approach to recovery with a focus on rebuilding ‘better’.
“As we countdown to the state government’s first budget in September, I have already written to the Premier and his Minister to advocate for improvements including the expedition of emergency declarations, a commitment to a properly resourced centralised agency responsible for the recovery phase in emergency events, an expansion to recovery resourcing, and recurrent and proper funding for Local Emergency Management Committees to help plan, prepare and manage impacts of disasters.”
Cr Moore said she would continue to apply pressure and lobby the state government for a faster and more streamlined response to emergency management and recovery.
“While I acknowledge the amazing efforts of the multi-agency response during emergency events, including NSW Police, SES, and RFS, there are significant opportunities to better manage all aspects of emergency management,” she said.
“While we know the state government are counting every single dollar in preparation for this budget, they have a real opportunity here to put their money where their mouths are to ensure communities devastated by disasters don’t have to wait a full year to see integral recovery works begin - like our community have been forced to endure at Broke.”
Following ongoing advocacy to the NSW Government to gain funding approval as well as extensive technical design development, the $1.2million Broke Road tender was awarded to KCE in May. Construction works began in early July and are scheduled to be completed at the end of October 2023 (weather permitting) and include the installation of new culverts, water main replacement, and resurfacing of the road.
The NSW Government will hand down its budget on Tuesday 19 September 2023.
For more information on the Singleton Advocacy Agenda and the Singleton Infrastructure Agenda, click here.