EHA Conference: 'Preparation beats Panic'

Geraldine.OConnor — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 23:27:22 +0000

Fabulous Mudgee was the destination for the 2014 NSW Environment Health Australia (EHA) conference, 'Preparation beats Panic'. This conference is the annual gathering of members of the NSW division of EHA, a small but active membership committed to ongoing education and training in environmental health.

Representatives from many councils across NSW attended as well as representatives of state agencies such as NSW Health, the EPA, the NSW Food Authority, and the NSW Fire Service. NSW Health plays a major role in the delivery of environmental health services and education across the state. The Food Authority and EPA also work closely with EHOs to provide support for inspections and education programs. EHOs in particular have to find balance in their dual role as regulators and educators.

The keynote speaker was David Clapham from Bradford in the UK. David provided two food safety case studies which had involved a number of deaths from food poisoning. He also highlighted how 'Scores on the Doors' has turned food safety regulation on its head in the UK, with shop owners now scrambling for inspections rather than being chased.

Bush fire recovery, food safety, water quality, hoarding and clandestine drug laboratories were just some of the issues covered. The role of EHOs during and following bushfires was covered from a number of angles and in a manner that clearly highlighted the aphorism that 'Preparation beats Panic'. Indeed, current disaster research shows that every $1 spent on preparation saves $7 in a disaster.

The need to invest in tools and systems to support disaster management was also highlighted. Social media in particular was identified as an apt tool for tracking fires and rapidly communicating updates to those at risk. Indeed the utility of social media in disaster management was vividly demonstrated during the 2011 Brisbane floods.

The conference also demonstrated that local government is becoming increasingly invested in a 'Preparation beats Panic' mindset: Walgett Council is preparing a heat wave management plan, several councils are developing asbestos management plans, and regulatory and non-regulatory mechanisms to deal with issues such as hoarding and clandestine drug laboratories were broadly canvassed with a focus on building relationships with agencies where the issue falls to local government.

In addition to the more technical facets of environmental health, a light hearted presentation on time management also entertained the audience with photos, yarns and bush poetry to illustrate points for a healthy life. 'Some are fowls, some are owls' reminds us to be aware of our most productive time of day and devote that time to tough tasks. The presentation concluded with 'Love your town and your country and wherever you are will be just right'.

Throughout the conference the EHOs in attendance were encouraged to:

think about the 'what ifs' (already an innate skill of EHOs)
plan inspections and be prepared for the plan to change
know legal obligations and where to draw the lin
keep up-to-date with the rapidly changing social media landscape.

In summing up the conference the newly re-elected and enthusiastic NSW President Jody Houston encouraged EHOs to 'be bold, lobby and advocate'. Good advice given all they have to deal with.

ACELG has published a food safety research report and customisable template for use by Australian local governments. The resource can be downloaded here.

Geraldine O'Connor is a Senior Programs Officer at the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.

A View from Day 1 of the Local Government NSW Annual Conference

Geraldine.OConnor — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 01:27:15 +0000

The atmosphere started building at Sydney airport as councillors from across NSW assembled for the last flight to Coffs Harbour on Sunday afternoon 19th October. The delegates, observers, council staff and sponsors gathered at the Coffs Harbour Ex-services Club for the 2014 Conference. Uncle Mark Flanders performed the Welcome to Country, and welcomes from Cr Denise Knight Mayor of Coffs Harbor City Council and Cr Keith Rhoades LGNSW followed.

Councillors reconnected, shared stories, and settled into animated conversations over pre-dinner drinks. Topics centered on how councils are currently collaborating, other ways of working, how Water County Councils have been overlooked, and the process of preparing responses for 'Fit for the Future'.

Individual council representation varied, with councils variously sending the mayor, general manager, councillors and staff. Other councils sent only one councillor as an observer, commenting that 'our councillors are just not interested in local government policy'.

Day 1 opened with an address by Premier Baird. Comments such as 'local government is bleeding $1 million a day' and not ruling out forced amalgamations fired up the day. The panel discussion in the afternoon reviewed the State government's 'Fit for the Future' response. The Premier's comments were mentioned and flaws in the approach were argued, including problems with dividing councils based on size, the emphasis on financial sustainability needs over the quadruple bottom line, and the view that incentives for struggling councils were 'penalizing' councils that are financially solid. Unfortunately, the panel discussion and questions raised did not really shed any new light on 'Fit for the Future'.

The Conference Business session consumes most of the day, with moments of tension reported from the delegates in the room. Being a delegate seems to make a difference to the time spent in the auditorium, the 'nerve centre' of the conference, judging by the number of observers scattered round the club. The sessions are broadcast so everyone can keep up with what is happening, but the tension in the room is something best experienced in person. I am off to the conference dinner for around 900. I plan to experience the 'nerve centre' on Day 2.

Geraldine O'Connor is a Senior Programs Officer at the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.

Geraldine.OConnor's blog

EHA Conference: 'Preparation beats Panic'

A View from Day 1 of the Local Government NSW Annual Conference

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