What you need to know
Planning for these hazards enables communities to be prepared and recover quicker when an incident occurs.
Hazards exist within all communities, whether they are recognised or not.
We know that accidents and emergencies can happen in or around the household at any time, impacting with little warning. The key is to be prepared. Being prepared will help you to better deal with an emergency and minimise the impact on you and your household. Read about what you can do around your house.
Types of potential emergencies
We play a supporting role in the response to emergency events. This support may include coordinating equipment and personnel to the emergency services during emergency response. We also supports the Emergency Operations Centre if a multi-agency response to an emergency is required.
We facilitate and support the Multi-agency Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, which is comprised of representatives of each emergency service agencies and major local industry representatives within our local government area. One of the key responsibilities of this committee is to produce the Municipal Emergency Management Plan.
Municipal Emergency Management Plan
The Moonee Valley Municipal Emergency Management Plan (pdf, 2.8MB) has been produced pursuant the Emergency Management Act 1986 and 2013. The plan addresses the prevention of, response to, and recovery from emergencies within Moonee Valley, by ensuring the coordinated response to emergencies by all sections of the community.
What is in the plan
It encompasses arrangements for:
- incidents controlled by emergency service agencies
- support to emergency service agencies in their single service roles
- emergency operations for which there is no emergency service agency; and circumstances where an emergency service agency has passed control to the Municipal Emergency Resource Officer or Municipal Recovery Manager
Emergency response and recovery
In collaboration with other agencies such as DHHS, we have a specific role to play in assisting in the recovery from the effects of disasters.
Response
During emergencies we may establish a Relief Centre(s) to coordinate the short term needs of affected community members which include a range of services including, but not limited to,information on the incident, food and water, temporary accommodation assistance etc. A number of agencies would be involved to provide services.
Recovery
A recovery centre may be established by us to coordinate contact and service delivery between affected community members and the range of services they require in order to recover from the emergency as quickly as possible. This generally focuses on the long term needs of affected communities. A number of agencies would be involved to provide services.
After hours services
We offer an after hour service to assist our community.
To contact us after hours, call 9243 8888.
When you call our After Hours Service, a decision is made whether the request requires urgent attention or can wait until the next working day (this is based on a pre-determined criteria). Where doubt arises the request will be relayed as soon as possible through to the relevant service Duty Officer.
We provide the following after hours services:
- Blocked roads and drains e.g. storms, road damage, accidents, equipment required
- Animal Management Service e.g. containing stray animal, injured and wandering livestock, dog attacks
- Local Laws - burning off
- Health e.g. food poisoning outbreak from retail outlet or private function
- Council buildings e.g. damage from storms, fire, vandalism, break-ins
- Trees e.g. storms
Home safety
We have produced safety plan templates for you to download and complete to help you better prepare for emergencies:
These safety plans contain emergency information, contact details for agencies and services that can be important sources of assistance during an emergency.
Red Cross Telecross provides peace of mind to people who are isolated, with a daily call to check on their wellbeing and safety. This service is also available to carers. If you would like to use the Telecross service, call 1300 885 698.
Tips on avoiding theft
Tips for a safe household
- Make sure smoke alarms are working
- Have a fire extinguisher in the house
- Replenish your first aid kit
- Ensure doors and windows are secure before going to bed or leaving the house
- Discard and replace electrical items that do not work properly or have damaged or frayed cords
- Make sure medicines are stored securely
- Make sure items that could be swallowed by small children are kept out of reach
- Teach children how to get out of the house if there is a fire
- Have a torch and a battery operated radio in case power goes out
- Get to know your neighbours and people across the street
- If you spot a hazard in the street, report it
- Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or download their app to report suspicious activity or information on crime in your area.
- If there is an emergency, call 000 to report it
Get to know your neighbours and people across the street.
As well as helping to build friendships and stronger communities, local connections can increase neighbourhood safety by providing security in times of emergency or extreme weather conditions.
Heatwaves
A heatwave is an extended period of uncomfortable hot weather that can have an impact on human health, community infrastructure (such as power supply and public transport), and services.
Heatwaves can affect anybody and may cause illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke which can, in some cases, be fatal.
It is against the law to leave a child or animal in a car. A car's inside temperature rises 75% in five minutes and can cause death within minutes.
- Find out about the effects of extreme heat, who is at risk and how you can prepare yourself and others at the Better Health website.
- Find out the latest temperatures on the Bureau of Meteorology's website.
- Extra information, including advice in other languages and how to subscribe to receive health alerts, can be found on the Heatwave information and advice page on the Department of Health's website.
- Council facilities and services heatwave closures and extended hours.
- Places to keep cool during a heatwave – Flemington Guide 2020.
During a heatwave, remember to:
Keep cool
- stay indoors and keep blinds/curtains closed
- avoid strenuous activities or limit these to cooler times such as in the early morning or after sunset
- take cool showers and splash yourself with cool water regularly
- go to air-conditioned buildings in your local area to cool off, such as shopping centres or indoor swimming pools
Drink plenty of water and eat cold foods like fruit and salad
Look out for neighbours, friends and family who might be more vulnerable in the heat such as:
- young children
- older adults living alone
- people with disabilities
- people with illnesses
- pregnant women
Ensure your pets also have access to fresh cool water and plenty of shade when they are outside
Never leave children, adults or animals inside parked vehicles
If you do need to go outdoors, make sure you wear:
- sunscreen on all exposed skin
- a hat
- sunglasses
- light-coloured clothing
Check out when our pools are open!
Fire safety
Wherever you are during summer, be aware of the fire dangers and be prepared.
Victoria has a long history of damaging bushfires. Protect yourself and evacuate early to avoid being caught out. Download the Vic emergency app and be prepared.
Make your home or business and the surrounding area more resistant to fire and burning. This means reducing the amount of material that can burn easily in and around your home or business. The CFA have prepared this checklist to help ensure your property is prepared.
A number of free fire safety planning resources are available online, download the new VicEmergency app, or visit their website.
Flood management
Flooding can happen at any time after heavy rains, even days after rains north of Moonee Valley.
This Flood emergency plan is a sub plan to our Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP), is consistent with the Emergency Management Manual Victoria and the Victoria Flood Management Strategy and takes into account the outcomes of the Community Emergency Risk Assessment process undertaken by the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee .
The Municipal Flood Emergency Plan is consistent with the Regional Flood Emergency Plan and the State Flood Emergency Plan and, is a result of the cooperative efforts of the City of Moonee Valley Flood Planning Committee and its member agencies.
Community Safety Program
The successful delivery of our first Community Safety Program led to Moonee Valley being accredited internationally as a Pacific/Australian Safe Community.
The Community Safety Program builds upon the first program and will coordinate our safety-related activities over the next five years. View the Moonee Valley Community Safety Program 2015-2020 (pdf, 1.96MB). The aim of the program is to advocate on behalf of the community and to achieve a coordinated approach to safety in collaboration with external organisations and Police.
For more information contact our Community Safety Officer on 9243 8888.
Road Safety
Our Transport Safety Strategy has a vision to provide safe travel for the whole community by adopting the Safe System approach.
This approach will prioritise safe people, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe roads and will assist us to achieve our goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries within Moonee Valley. However, you, family and friends all play a part to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities experiences across Moonee Valley.
Child restraints
Check out when the next free child restraint fitting days are.
There are laws for the type of restraints children of a certain age need to travel in.
- birth to 6 months rearward facing restraint
- 6 months to 4 years rearward or forward facing restraint
- 4 to 7 years forward facing restraint or booster seat
- older than 7 years booster seat or adult seatbelt
- Older than 7 years children are allowed to travel in the front seat.
While the law specifies the minimum, it’s safest to only move your child to the next type of restraint once they outgrow their current restraint. The restraint you choose must meet the Australian standard and be properly fastened and adjusted.
See the RACV website for information on child restraints.
Never leave kids in cars
It’s against the law to leave a child in an unattended car.
We’ve installed KidSafe ‘Don’t leave kids in cars’ signs in our off-street car parks to remind drivers before they leave their car. It is everyone responsibility to keep kids safe.
The thought of running a quick errand and leaving a child in the car for a minute can be tempting for a parent or carer. Leaving children unattended in a car on any day is dangerous, let alone a hot summer’s day (when the inside temperature of the car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than outside). It could result in death.
Learn more at KidSafe Victoria
Less Selfie. More Safety
We want your view of Moonee Valley to be seen with your eyes, not through a camera – and we definitely want your eyes on the road while you’re driving.
Driving distractions can have devastating consequences, so leave the selfies, texts, social media updates and video chats until you’re out of the car.
Hoon driver behaviour
If hoon driving behaviour is a regular occurrence in your area, offenders can have their vehicles impounded, immobilised or confiscated.
Please call 1800 333 000 to report hoon behaviour or complete a form (pdf, 651KB) and send it to:
Fawkner Highway Patrol
1151 Sydney Road
Fawkner 3046
Crossing the road is not a game
Residents are being urged to take more care and avoid distractions when using the road.
The 'Not a Game' campaign is encouraging people to cross the road safely by using pedestrian crossings, obeying the signals, looking up from mobile phones, and looking out for oncoming traffic and other distractions.
The campaign is also encouraging drivers to look out for pedestrians and 'expect the unexpected'.