Lifelines’ legal duties and expectations
Lifelines must be able to function as much as possible during and after an emergency. The means they need to be resilient, have emergency plans, and be ready to coordinate with wider emergency management response.
Three main documents establish the duties and expectations of Lifelines.
Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002, s 60
The CDEM Act 2002 s 60 says that every lifeline utility must:
- ensure that it is able to function to the fullest possible extent, even though this may be at a reduced level, during and after an emergency;
- make available to the Director in writing, on request, its plan for functioning during and after an emergency;
- participate in the development of the national civil defence emergency management strategy and civil defence emergency management plans;
- provide, free of charge, any technical advice to any Civil Defence Emergency Management Group or the Director that may be reasonably required by that Group or the Director; and
- ensure that any information disclosed to the lifeline utility is used by the lifeline utility, or disclosed to another person, only for the purposes of the CDEM Act.
National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan Order 2015
The National CDEM Plan 2015 s 60 specifies what Lifelines must do to fulfil their legal duties. These are grouped under the 4Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response, and recovery.
The Plan also sets out general expectations of all agencies regulated under the CDEM Act 2002. This includes Lifelines.
The Plan is also supported by the Guide to the National CDEM Plan 2015 (the Guide). The Guide includes a section focused on Lifelines. The Guide supports the Plan with further detail, diagrams and operational information.
Director's Guideline 16/14 Lifeline Utilities and CDEM Groups
Lifeline Utilities and CDEM Groups [DGL 16/14] includes guidance for:
- Lifelines,
- CDEM Groups, and
- Sector Coordinating Entities.