David Barratt

18 Sep David Barratt

David Barratt, Australia

Presentation Title: Development of a Catchment Post-Emergency Recovery Plan for the Upper Murrumbidgee

Formal post-emergency recovery plans are intended to provide structure to what is often otherwise relatively ad-hoc activity. Recovery programs and processes can have a lasting impact on communities and the environment.

The ACT and Region Catchment Post-Emergency Recovery Plan aims to facilitate better management and rehabilitation of catchments within the Upper Murrumbidgee region following a natural disaster or extreme event. The emphasis is on prioritising activities that address the rehabilitation of catchment uses and values of greatest importance from a catchment hydrology perspective.

Threats to catchment uses and values arising from a natural disaster or emergency event have been identified and, given those threats, responses and actions required in the immediate, short, medium and long-term to restore and protect those uses and values are outlined. The Plan also identifies the agencies with primary responsibility for these actions and activities, and key stakeholders.

It is not intended that the Plan replace existing emergency response plans in the region, but rather refer to them in broadly setting out the assessments, actions and activities needed to achieve catchment recovery objectives. The Plan provides a framework for returning impacted environments to a desired and acceptable condition as quickly and efficiently as possible.