Shoalhaven City Council votes to fund permanent disaster recovery program

For the past decade the Shoalhaven has been in a constant state of disaster recovery say council staff, as the local government votes to keep on a permanent disaster officer.

From drought, floods, and fires, to the Covid pandemic, the Shoalhaven has faced its fair share of disasters over the past decade. With more to come, the council wants to fund a permanent disaster recovery staff.

At its ordinary session on May 23, the local government body voted unanimously to call on the state government to renew funding for a disaster relief officer, a role which is currently due to expire in October.

“If you look at the Shoalhaven over the last 10 years, the last 20 years, going back to the 2002 fires, we have needed this person in place all through that time,” Councillor Patricia White, who put forward the motion, said.

“It’s a position that should be in this council full-time, as in other councils across NSW, who suffer the same fate, year in year out. We won’t know what our next disaster is going to be until it happens.”

The role is currently funded by resources allocated by Resilience NSW under its Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, and was implemented in the wake of the Black Summer fires.

Flooding in Sussex Inlet, Shoalhaven. March 8 2022. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Unlike other roles with the disaster relief agency, the officer operates within the council staff, and works to establish community resilience programs, create mapping and analysis, and liaise with stakeholders.

In May 2020, the council was provided $220,000 by Resilience NSW, $150,000 was to go towards salaries and staff expenses. The funding was extended in April 2021, but will conclude on October 14 2022.

“Disasters can happen anytime. As key contributors to recovery, councils need to be ready to support the community and begin restoration immediately after the danger has passed,” Cr White’s motion states.

“Councils do not work alone in recovery: all levels of government, individuals, businesses, and non-government organisations have a role to play. Usual processes and practices may not work in the recovery environment, and staff need to be flexible and adaptable when responding to changing community needs.”

Currently, the National Resilience Recovery Agency is advertising for a recovery support officer focusing on the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, said Councillor Paul Ell. The role would, though, operate outside of council.

Flooding in Sussex Inlet, Shoalhaven. March 8 2022. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

“I don’t know what the future of that agency will be under the new government,” Cr Ell said. “That’s a matter to be determined, I guess. But, that’s obviously a role that would work in well with council, and provide some similar support.”

In reply, Cnr White welcomed any money coming into the Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas, but stood by the motion.

“We need somebody here that is working day in, day out on the issues that are affecting the Shoalhaven, because for nearly 30 years now I’ve watched money come into the Illawarra Shoalhaven,” she said.

“It goes to the Illawarra and we get the bits down the bottom.”