A recent analysis of emergencies in Southland has highlighted several issues in their management.
Key stakeholders discussed a review of Emergency Management Southland’s response to the Gore flooding in September 2023 and Bluecliffs erosion in February last year. While there were no fatalities in either incident, evacuations were necessary, and residents of Bluecliffs were critical of the handling of the situation.
The review pointed out shortcomings in communication, staffing levels, and the lack of a clear process for declaring emergencies. During the Gore flooding, the team was understaffed due to vacant positions and a key member on leave. This staffing issue persisted during the Bluecliffs erosion event.
The report highlighted that the reduced team capacity affected the effectiveness of responses and created gaps in knowledge and processes. Concerns were raised about the lack of a defined process for declaring an emergency and the need for improved communication among agencies.
Emergency Management Southland comprises the Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, and Environment Southland.
Gore Mayor Ben Bell disagreed with parts of the report, stating that his council declared an emergency prematurely, attributing the issues to the unpreparedness of the civil defence emergency management group.
Southland Mayor Rob Scott expressed some criticism of the handling of the Bluecliffs incident but acknowledged the progress in emergency management practices.
The report emphasized the importance of elevating the emergency management controller position within organizations and recommended reviewing staffing, enhancing training, and establishing a consistent procedure for declaring emergencies.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
