On 28 October 2020, the Bushfire Royal Commission published its report in response to Australia’s ‘Black Summer’ of 2019-2020. The fires hit over 100 local government areas, burning across 24 million hectares. The fires killed 33 people, destroyed 3,100 homes, and caused the death and displacement of around 3 billion animals.

While the Royal Commission’s report says state and territory governments hold the primary responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment, local councils also have important roles to play.

“As state and territory governments are ultimately accountable for managing natural disasters in their respective jurisdictions, they should be responsible for ensuring that their local governments are able to effectively discharge the responsibilities devolved to them” (page 261-262).

The Royal Commission heard concerns about the capacity of some councils to fulfil their responsibilities, and highlighted some struggled to meet their communities' needs. The report gave the example of Indigo Shire Council:

…small rural shires do the best they can with what they’ve got, but in some cases it’s not much … it’s quite a challenge for small rural shires and a very unfair expectation of government and communities to expect shires the size of ours and Towong and Alpine and others where … most of these natural disasters take place, particularly bushfires … to take the full load of relief and recovery responsibilities (section 11.3, page 253)

The report highlights that local governments have an immensely important role in response to bushfires and other natural disasters in Australia. While responsibilities differ between the size and location of councils, if they are given disaster response powers they must be adequately resourced by the state or territory to fulfill them.

In delegating responsibilities for disaster planning and recovery to local governments, the report recognises that, in general, local governments have a more detailed understanding of their local community. Specifically, a better understanding of local risks, vulnerabilities and locally available resources than other levels of government. For example, local governments are often also responsible for operating evacuation and relief centres and other safe places. 

Local governments around the world are already adapting to climate change impacts. How they plan, prepare and cooperate with other levels of government to ensure their communities are ready for climate events will be critical for saving life, property and reducing environmental damage. The bushfire Royal Commission’s report makes it clear that local councils in Australia have a critical role to play, but that they must be adequately resourced and supported by other levels of government to ensure community safety.

Read the full report.

Written by Timothy Shue