Australia’s inaugural two-day National Disaster Preparedness Summit saw 250 crisis management, response and recovery specialists from governments, industry, community, and the not-for-profit sector come together as the country prepares for a hot, dry spring and summer.
Australian Food and Grocery Council CEO, Tanya Barden, said the summit was an important initiative that enhanced information sharing and collaboration.
“We are a nation that faces frequent weather events, and food and grocery manufacturing is a vital sector that has a very complex network of supply chains,” Barden said.
She said food and grocery supply chains would be better protected in the coming bushfire season because of the experience and lessons learned in recent floods and bushfires and Covid.
“These events can have multiple impacts: growing regions can be impacted and leave agricultural produce in short supply, or it may be supply lines that get ingredients to manufacturers, or from manufacturers to supermarkets.
“Often these are short-lived events and in recent years we have had a high degree of coordination among all levels of government and supply chain partners to share information and minimise disruption. So, it is reassuring for industry and consumers that planning is already in place,” she said.
The summit was the first-time key stakeholders – leaders from federal, state and territory emergency services and the logistics, food and groceries, insurance, energy and utilities, telecommunications and non-government sectors – have come together to prepare for the Higher Risk Weather Season.
Attendees played out scenario exercises based on the seasonal outlook to see how each organisation would respond individually and collectively.
The summit followed the Bureau of Meteorology declaring the country is now facing El Niño conditions and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) for the first time in eight years.
Its 2023-24 Higher Risk Weather Season Outlook said warmer and drier conditions were likely for the coming months, with heatwave conditions expected. There was also an increased likelihood of severe storms and cyclones.
Attendees also worked through best practice approaches for preparedness, response, and relief, and looked at better preparedness for vulnerable communities, including people living with disabilities and First Nations people.
Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said, “Since the Black Summer Bushfires, two-thirds of Australians have been impacted by natural disaster – some more than once.
“We know that due to climate change, disasters will become increasingly frequent and intense, which is why we have taken significant steps to build our resilience and response capabilities.
“The Summit ensures all key stakeholders know what resources and capabilities state and territory governments can draw upon and when, as well as additional operational and information sharing support.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told those at the summit, “Your work is vital to preparedness – and essential to recovery”.
Barden said, “In the longer term it is vital to have government policies that support improved transport networks and a resilient and sustainable domestic food and grocery manufacturing industry.”
