A $165,000 project initiated by South Australia's Local Government Association is designed to provide on-the-ground information from Councils via smart phones to key State Emergency Agencies in emergency situations.

 

A $130,000 Federal and State grant has been awarded to  the project, with the LGA providing the remaining funding and support for the Emergency Assessment Reporting System project (EARS).

 

LGA President Mayor Kym McHugh said that the project had been developed following liaison with key State and Federal emergency agencies and in the wake of various reports into recent disasters in Australia.

 

"A key issue for both State and Commonwealth agencies is sourcing reliable local information in emergency situations," he said.

 

"We are proposing to use technology to provide a smart system so verified information from Council inspectors, engineers and other staff on the spot can be fed rapidly back to central state agencies."

 

"On occasions this sort of information is vital in responding to community rumors which may not be correct. "The system will also have capacity to communicate verified information back to the community."

 

Mayor McHugh said that in emergency situations Federal, State and Local government tended to work well together but technology could provide better tools for them to do so.

 

The EARS project is expected to be completed this year.

 

Mr McLelland said the funding was made available through the Commonwealth's National Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience. "It will help South Australian communities be better prepared for natural disasters," he said.

 

"By working together, we can reduce the potentially devastating impacts of future natural disasters in South Australia," he said.

 

Ms Rankine said the partnership between all levels of government and the community was helping to build a culture of shared responsibility. "These grants will help communities prepare for natural disasters and potentially save lives and properties."