Queensland Consolidated Acts

DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT 2003 - SECT 4A

This Act is to be administered according to the following principles—

(a) disaster management should be planned across the following four phases—

(i) the taking of preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of an event occurring or, if an event occurs, to reduce the severity of the event;

(ii) the taking of preparatory measures to ensure that, if an event occurs, communities, resources and services are able to cope with the effects of the event;

(iii) the taking of appropriate measures to respond to an event, including action taken and measures planned in anticipation of, during, and immediately after an event to ensure that its effects are minimised and that persons affected by the event are given immediate relief and support;

(iv) the taking of appropriate measures to recover from an event, including action taken to support disaster-affected communities in the reconstruction of infrastructure, the restoration of emotional, social, economic and physical wellbeing, and the restoration of the environment;

(b) all events, whether natural or caused by human acts or omissions, should be managed in accordance with the following—

(i) a strategic policy framework developed by the State group;

(ii) the State disaster management plan;

(iii) any disaster management guidelines;

(c) local governments should primarily be responsible for managing events in their local government area;

(d) district groups and the State group should provide local governments with appropriate resources and support to help the local governments carry out disaster operations.