Natural Disasters and Waste Management

Definition of Natural Disaster

Natural disaster means “a serious disruption to a community or region caused by the impact of a

naturally occurring rapid onset event that threatens or causes death, injury or damage to property

or the environment and which requires significant and coordinated multi-agency and community

response. Such serious disruption can be caused by any one, or a combination of, the following 10

(ten) natural hazards: bushfire; cyclone; earthquake; flood; landslide; meteorite strike; storm; storm

surge; tornado; or tsunami”1.

Relief available

The State and Australian governments provide a range of relief measures to assist communities

severely affected by an eligible natural disaster event (i.e., bushfire, cyclone, earthquake, flood,

landslide, meteorite strike, storm, storm surge, tornado or tsunami).

Draft Protocol for Natural Disasters and Waste Management

The issue of natural disasters and waste management has been considered for some time, the storm event in March 2010 brought the issue to the fore and provided a ‘live’ example of what could happen.  In response to this, WALGA has developed a draft Protocol for future situations.  Comment is sought on this draft Protocol.

The comment period closes Monday 16 August.  The draft Protcol is available here.

For more information contact Rebecca Brown, Manager Waste and Recycling, 9213 2063 or email rbrown@walga.asn.au