Local Emergency Management

Emergencies can happen at any time and may affect people, property, businesses, infrastructure and the environment.

The Shire works with emergency services, government agencies, community organisations and other local partners to prepare for emergencies and support our community when they occur.

During an emergency, the Shire may provide support and local resources to the agency responsible for managing the emergency. The Shire also has an important role in recovery, helping our community restore services, infrastructure and community life following an emergency.

Planning and preparation are an important part of this work. The Shire maintains Local Emergency Management Arrangements to help ensure there is a coordinated approach to preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies across our district.

Local Emergency Management Arrangements

The Shire’s Local Emergency Management Arrangements establish an all-hazards approach to emergency management, tailored to the Shire of Ravensthorpe. 

The arrangements recognise the unique characteristics of our district, including extensive bushland and the Fitzgerald River National Park, dispersed rural and coastal communities, agricultural and mining industries, long road and freight networks and a seasonal visitor population.

They also consider the limited access routes to some communities and our reliance on telecommunications, electricity, fuel and freight infrastructure.

Priority hazards and disruptions include bushfire, severe weather and heavy rainfall, coastal erosion and storm surge, extreme heat, biosecurity events, hazardous materials and industrial incidents, road and transport emergencies, marine and search and rescue incidents, earthquakes, essential service disruptions and aerodrome emergencies.

Local Recovery Plan 2026

The Local Recovery Plan 2026 has been comprehensively rewritten and replaces the Shire’s August 2024 Local Recovery Sub Plan.

The Plan recognises that recovery begins during the response phase of an emergency. It sets out the Shire’s recovery governance arrangements, including the roles of the Local Recovery Coordinator and Local Recovery Coordination Group, as well as arrangements for community engagement, communications and financial management.

Recovery planning is structured around four key environments:

  • Social — people, health, housing, education, wellbeing and community support

  • Built — infrastructure, roads, utilities, telecommunications, buildings, water and waste

  • Economic — agriculture, mining, tourism, businesses, employment and supply chains

  • Natural — land, water, biodiversity, coastal systems, cultural values and environmental health

Under the Emergency Management Act 2005, local governments are required to prepare and maintain Local Emergency Management Arrangements, including recovery arrangements and the nomination of a Local Recovery Coordinator.

The Shire’s Local Emergency Management Arrangements and Local Recovery Plan 2026 were adopted by Council in September 2026 and are available below.

📄 View the Local Emergency Management Arrangements 2026

📄 View the Local Recovery Plan 2026