Emergency Management Planning

The Bega Valley has experienced several, significant crisis situations over the past 4 years. 

The significant events that have impacted the Sapphire Coast over recent years, demonstrate the need for the local business community to be aware of the resources available to them in the planning and preparation for future emergency or crisis events. There are dedicated resources available for you to prepare for, and recover from, disasters.

How you handle an emergency situation can minimise the impact of events, determine the safety of your customers and employees and ensure a speedy recovery for your business.  Emergency management planning can help you identify risks to your business and how best to protect it. Business continuity and recovery strategies are other essential parts of business planning that should be included as you work towards becoming emergency ready.  The following resources are available:

Get Ready for Disasters - NSW Government, Small Business Commissioner guides to help you prepare for and recover from disaster

Destination NSW Quick Tips - Quick tips for preparing for bushfires and natural disasters including how to communicate with visitors.

Hazards Near Me - View emergency warnings and advice for fires, floods and tsunamis in NSW.

RFS Fire Danger Ratings - Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans in NSW.

Bush Fire Planning and Recovery - Bega Valley Shire Council.

On Sunday 18 March 2018 a bushfire impacted on the communities of Reedy Swamp and Tathra in the Bega Valley Shire. The fire destroyed 65 homes, damaged 48 more and displaced approximately 700 residents on the day, as well as an large number of tourists and visitors to the town. 

On New Years Eve 2019 bushfires again engulfed the Bega Valley Shire. These bushfires were unprecedented in their magnitude and went on to burn across the region for over 7 weeks, destroying 548,000 hectares (approx 58% of the Bega Valley), 448 homes and taking 4 lives. Hundreds of local businesses, dependent on tourism also suffered greatly with thousands of tourists and visitors being asked to leave the region during the crisis. 

To help our community recover and move forward, the Bega Valley Shire Council have developed their ‘go to’ resource for bushfire recovery news, information, support and community.  Follow the link to see the latest news and initiatives. 

The above events demonstrate the need for the local business community to be aware of the resources available for planning and preparation for future emergency events.