11 November 2008
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PROMOTED AT SAFER COMMUNITIES AWARDS
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today presented 16 Australian Safer Communities Awards to innovative and educational projects that promote awareness and management of natural disasters.
With Australia impacted by floods and bushfires on an annual basis, Mr McClelland said it is important that communities learn about and prepare for the hazards they may encounter, and consider how best to deal with those hazards.
“This understanding helps create more resilient communities. When communities are resilient they are better able to deal with a crisis, better equipped to deal with the consequences, and bounce back even stronger.”
“Australians can be proud that our emergency services are the best in the world, but it’s unfair to expect them to do it all if disaster strikes. Regardless of who we are or where we live, we all have a role to play in disaster preparedness.”
“I am very impressed by the wide range and quality of the projects submitted for this year’s Awards. The organisations receiving awards represent the very best of Australian citizenship and participation,” Mr McClelland said.
Several of this year’s awards are aimed at raising the awareness of young people to the need for emergency preparedness and local government has again provided significant community projects.
This year attracted a total of 89 entries across a range of organisations, including volunteers, the private sector, government, education, training and research bodies, and not-for-profit groups.
The annual Australian Safer Communities Awards is managed by Emergency Management Australia, a division of the Attorney-General’s Department.
Media Contacts:
Adam Sims, Mr McClelland’s Office, 0419 480 224
Alastair Wilson, EMA Media Liaison 0408 606 462
2008 Australian Safer Communities Awards - Recipients
|
# |
Category |
Entry organisation & name |
Award |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
State/Territory Government Agencies |
Emergency Management Queensland and the Local Government Association of Queensland ‘Red Alert’ and ‘Get Ready Kidnas’ |
Winner |
|
2. |
State/Territory Government Agencies |
New South Wales Fire Brigades on behalf of the national Triple Zero 000 awareness campaign The 000 awareness campaign |
Highly Commended |
|
3. |
State/Territory Government Agencies |
South Australian Department of Families and Communities Virginia Safety in Emergencies |
Highly Commended |
|
4. |
Local Government - Single Council |
East Gippsland Shire Council, Victoria Compass Emergency Recovery |
Winner |
|
5. |
Local Government - Single Council |
Tasman Council, Tasmania Property Bushfire Risk Management |
Highly Commended |
|
6. |
Local Government - Single Council |
Shire of Busselton, Western Australia Living Safely in Bush Fire Prone Areas |
Highly Commended |
|
7. |
Local Government - Collective |
City of Bunbury, Western Australia RISK – Regional Information |
Winner |
|
8. |
Local Government - Collective |
Campbelltown City Council, Camden Council and the Wollondilly Shire Council ‘Drives for Learners in Macarthur’ |
Highly Commended |
|
9. |
Volunteer Organisations |
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Jewish Emergency Management Plan for NSW |
Winner |
|
10. |
Private Sector Organisations |
TransUrban Victoria CityLink Tunnel Safety Project |
Winner |
|
11. |
Education, Training & Research Bodies |
Tasmanian Flood Warning Consultative Committee Floods and You Teaching Resource |
Winner |
|
12. |
Education, Training & Research Bodies |
Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service ‘Smart Sparx’ – Remote Communities |
Winner |
|
13. |
Not for Profit Organisations |
Life Saving Victoria Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities – |
Winner |
|
14. |
Projects of National Significance or |
Surf Life Saving Australia The Australian Coastal Public Safety Guidelines |
Winner |
|
15. |
Projects of National Significance or |
Australian Geomechanics Society and the Sydney Coastal Councils Group Landslide Risk Management Guidelines |
Highly Commended |
|
16. |
Projects of National Significance or |
Cyclones Steering Group Queensland Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Cyclones – Evacuation and Shelter |
Highly Commended |
Issued by Emergency Management Australia, Canberra
Media Contact: Alastair Wilson 0408 606 462
For more information about the Australian Safer Communities Awards
please refer to www.ema.gov.au and select 'Communities' - 'Safer Communities Awards'