Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Sub Plan (SHMESP)€¦ · a) Operational fire fighting and support...

Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Sub Plan

14th April 2014 of 56


(SHMESP)

April 2014

A Sub Plan of the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Plan



CONTENTS AUTHORITY ......................................................................................................................... 2

CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................... 3

AMENDMENTS .................................................................................................................... 7

DISTRIBUTION ..................................................................................................................... 7

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 8

1.01 General ................................................................................................................ 8 1.02 Aim ...................................................................................................................... 8 1.03 Scope ................................................................................................................... 8 1.04 Hazards and Risks ................................................................................................ 9 1.05 Relationship to other Plans and Planning Arrangements ................................... 9

Related Plans ................................................................................................ 9

1.06 Expenditure and Recovery of Funds ................................................................... 9 1.07 Planning Assumption ......................................................................................... 10 1.08 Planning Limitations .......................................................................................... 10 1.09 Arrangements for Obtaining Additional Resources or Function Services Area

Assistance .......................................................................................................... 10

Agencies May Obtain Additional Resources ................................................ 10 Further Resources and Functional Area Assistance ...................................... 11

1.10 Administration & Contact List ........................................................................... 11 1.11 Exercising and Review ....................................................................................... 11

Exercising .................................................................................................... 11 Maintenance and Review ............................................................................ 12

2. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITES ...................................................................................... 13

2.01 General .............................................................................................................. 13

Liaison Arrangements ................................................................................. 13 Operations Support Staff ............................................................................. 14 Education, Training and Exercising .............................................................. 14

2.02 Rescue including Search and Rescue Operations ............................................. 14 2.03 Agency Roles and Responsibilities .................................................................... 15

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ..................................................... 15

As a Functional Area (Environmental Services) ........................................................... 15 As a Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 15

Fisheries NSW ............................................................................................. 16

As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 16



As a Functional Area Participating Agency (Agricultural and Animals Services) ......... 16

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) ....................................................................... 16

As a Combat Agency .................................................................................................... 16 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 16

Harbour City Ferries .................................................................................... 16

As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 16

Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW) .................................................................... 17

As a Marine Rescue Agency ......................................................................................... 17 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 17

NSW Ambulance (NSWA) ............................................................................ 17

As a Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 17 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 17

NSW Police Force (NSWPF) .......................................................................... 18

As a Combat Agency .................................................................................................... 18 As a Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 18 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 18

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service .................................................... 19

As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 19 As a Functional Area Participating Agency (Agricultural and Animals Services) ......... 19

NSW State Emergency Service (NSWSES) ..................................................... 19

As Combat Agency ....................................................................................................... 19 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 19

Roads and Maritime Services (Maritime Division) ....................................... 19

As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 19

Shell (Aust) Pty Ltd. ..................................................................................... 20

As a Facility Operator ................................................................................................... 20 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 20

Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC) ................................................................... 20

As Combat Agency ....................................................................................................... 20 As a Participant ............................................................................................................ 20

Transport for NSW ...................................................................................... 20

As a Functional Area (Transport Services) ................................................................... 20 As a Lead Agency ......................................................................................................... 21



2.04 General Combat Agency Matrix ........................................................................ 21 2.05 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) – Australian Defence Force (ADF) ....................... 22 2.06 Australian Defence Force Assistance ................................................................ 22

Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC)...................................... 22

Emergency Assistance:................................................................................................. 22 Non‐emergency Assistance: ........................................................................................ 22

Category 1‐ local emergency assistance (DACC 1) ........................................ 23 Category 2 ‐ significant emergency assistance (DACC 2) .............................. 23 Category 3 ‐ emergency recovery assistance (DACC 3) ................................. 23

3. CONTROL & CO‐ORDINATION ARRANGEMENTS ..................................................... 25

3.01 General .............................................................................................................. 25

Combat Agency Controlled .......................................................................... 25

Fully Managed by Combat Agency ............................................................................... 25 Supported by Emergency Operations Controller ......................................................... 26

Emergency Operations Controller Controlled ............................................... 27

3.02 Site Controllers and Site Control (Points) ......................................................... 27 3.03 Marine Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC) ................................................ 28

General ....................................................................................................... 28 Communications ......................................................................................... 29 Radio Frequencies List ................................................................................. 29

4. RESPONSE STAGES & ACTIONS ............................................................................... 30

4.01 General .............................................................................................................. 30 4.02 Alert Stage ......................................................................................................... 30 4.03 Call‐Out Stage .................................................................................................... 31 4.04 Stand‐Down Stage ............................................................................................. 32

5. ANNEXURES ........................................................................................................... 34

Annexure A .................................................................................................................... 34

Map and Area Description ........................................................................... 34

Map .............................................................................................................................. 34 Boundaries ................................................................................................................... 35 Surrounding Emergency Management Regions .......................................................... 35 Surrounding Local Government Areas by Region ........................................................ 35 General Geographic Information ................................................................................. 36 General Environmental Information ............................................................................ 36 Major Navigational Hazard .......................................................................................... 36 Naval Waters and Other Water‐side Restricted Zones ................................................ 36 Islands .......................................................................................................................... 37



Bridges and Tunnels ..................................................................................................... 37 Surface Movement, Infrastructure and Major Facilities .............................................. 37

Annexure B .................................................................................................................... 39

Definitions ................................................................................................... 39 Abbreviations .............................................................................................. 49

Annexure C ................................................................................................................... 51

Beaching sites east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge ....................................... 51 Beaching sites west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge ...................................... 52 Suitable wharves/evacuation points ........................................................... 52 Wharves considered to have good access for vehicles and vessels east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge................................................................................ 53 Wharves considered to have good access for vehicles and vessels west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge................................................................................ 54

Annexure D .................................................................................................................... 55 Considerations Checklist ............................................................................................... 55



AMENDMENTS Proposals for amendment or addition to Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Sub Plan are to be forwarded to:

The Chairperson Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committee C/‐ NSW Marine Area Command 4 Jubilee Place Balmain, NSW, 2041 Phone: 02 9320 7499 Fax: 02 9320 7427

Amendments promulgated are to be certified in the undermentioned table when entered.

Amendment Entered By

NUMBER DATE SIGNATURE DATE

DISTRIBUTION The Regional Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON), Sydney Metropolitan Emergency Management Region has given approval for this document to be distributed electronically and hosted on the Internet via the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services’ website. When printed this copy shall NOT be controlled. This document is current only at the date of printing and is subject to regular review by the relevant committee. It is the responsibility of a person who possesses a copy of this document to ensure it is the most current version on a regular basis.



1. INTRODUCTION

1.01 General

The Sydney Harbour is well‐known for its natural beauty and world‐class facilities set within a significant and equally well‐known metropolis. Its facilities provide a haven for all classes of civilian and military vessels and its waterways, foreshores and crossings are extensively used for trade, transport and leisure activities including mass gathering events (geographic details are noted in Annexure A). Both natural and technological emergencies have previously impacted on the Harbour’s users, its infrastructure and environment. Several of those events required a significant and coordinated response and future occurrences are likely to present a continuing and significant risk, which could result in an emergency. The complexity in managing marine emergencies requiring enhanced coordination and communication, specific tactics to undertake unique tasks and specialist equipment or knowledge are well recognised. To that end, the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Committee established the Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committee (SHMEPSC). The SHMEPSC is delegated the task of planning for marine emergencies on Sydney Harbour and the production of this document. This document (plan) replaces any and all previous Counter Marine Disaster Plan (MARDAP) or Port Jackson Marine Emergency Sub Plan concerning the area of operation described within.

1.02 Aim

The aim of this plan is to detail arrangements for the control and co‐ordination of an imminent or actual occurrence of an emergency on Sydney Harbour where a significant and coordinated response is required.

1.03 Scope

All or part of this plan may be used to: a) Control or support marine emergency response operations within the area

defined in this plan including islands and traversing structures; b) Support operations conducted under the Region’s Botany Bay ‐ Port Hacking

Marine Emergency Sub Plan; c) Support any other emergency operation as directed by the Sydney Metropolitan

Regional Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON) or the State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON);

d) Support emergency operations on adjacent land interfaces at the request of the relevant combat agency or the EOCON for the affected area;

e) Assist with incidents at the request of the relevant combat agency with agreement of the LEOCON or the REOCON.



1.04 Hazards and Risks

With regard to marine emergencies, risks to the safety or health of persons or animals, property and the environment will likely come from hazards such as:

a) Tsunami (Seismic Sea Wave); b) Storms and squalls; c) Storm surge or large swells; d) Unlawful seizures, mass hostage taking or shootings; e) A malicious act triggering a technological event; f) Oil or hazardous materials spills; g) Fire (onboard a vessel or a structure whether berthed or not); h) Explosion (onboard a vessel or a structure whether berthed or not); i) Collision (involving a sinking or not), stranding, foundering or running aground; j) Aviation emergencies; k) Events requiring large scale evacuations; l) Structural collapse or landslip into the waters.

1.05 Relationship to other Plans and Planning Arrangements

Plans and planning arrangements made and documented by the SHMEPSC are sub plans of the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Plan.

Related Plans

The following plans, relating to specific hazards or incident types, have been identified as the:

a) NSW State Waters Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan; b) NSW Hazardous Materials/Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Sub

Plan; c) NSW Tsunami Emergency Sub Plan; d) Sydney CBD Emergency Sub Plan; e) NSW Environmental Services Functional Area Supporting Plan; f) State Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Supporting Plan; g) NSW Recovery Plan.

1.06 Expenditure and Recovery of Funds

Expenditure of funds by Agencies or Functional Areas during emergency response or recovery operations is to be met in the first instance by the providers of resources from within their normal operating budgets. Should the expenditure be of such a magnitude as to prevent the providing agencies/functional areas from continuing their normal operations for the remainder of the financial year, the Treasurer may provide supplementation. However, departments cannot be guaranteed funding supplementation.



The Treasurer may reimburse certain expenditures incurred during emergency response or recovery operations following natural disasters. These are generally limited to expenditures for services provided under the New South Wales Disaster Assistance Guidelines (NSWDAG). Agencies and Functional Areas are required to implement adequate control procedures for disaster expenditures and to maintain appropriate supporting documentation. Treasury engages the Audit Office to conduct an audit of these expenditures as a requirement under NDRRA. Public Trading Enterprises with clear commercial objectives such as the State Owned Corporations are generally not eligible for funding assistance except under extraordinary circumstances.

1.07 Planning Assumption

This plan is based on a presumption the resources upon which it relies will be available when required. In so far as fire‐fighting capability exists for onboard or on‐water fires, the Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC), as combat agency shall have, in so far as is practicable:

a) Operational fire fighting and support vessels on stand by 24 hours a day; b) An agreement with Sydney Harbour commercial tug operators, for the provision

of a commercial tug as a supplementary fire fighting support vessel.

1.08 Planning Limitations

Responding to marine emergencies can be complex. Specialist response equipment and personnel may be scarce, not afloat at the time of need, require time to launch or require transportation from some distant location. Supplementary fire fighting resources, such as high‐capacity pumps, may require particular loading points or vessels to access the emergency’s location. Additionally, a significant event may require the use of multiple embarkation or disembarkation points requiring several localised land‐based site control points and supporting resources to cope at each of those sites.

1.09 Arrangements for Obtaining Additional Resources or Function Services Area Assistance

Agencies May Obtain Additional Resources

Agencies may obtain out‐of‐area resources from within their own organisations, or from other agencies where there are inter‐agency understandings or agreements for the provision of assistance. However, the LEOCON is to be advised of such actions where those resources or that assistance is to be deployed for operations being conducted under this plan or where such deployment may have an impact on those operations.



Further Resources and Functional Area Assistance

Requests for resources not available to an agency will be referred to the LEOCON. When a resource is not available at that level, requests for that resource are to be referred to regional level. Functional area support will be coordinated at regional level. Where functional area support is required, those requests will be referred to the REOCON. Some agencies have agreed to provide specific services or resources as detailed within this Plan. This support is separate and additional to any participation of those agencies within a functional area. Where an agency that participates within a functional area provides, in accordance with this plan, a resource or service that would normally be a function area service, they are to advise the Regional Functional Area Coordinator of the provision of that service.

1.10 Administration & Contact List

The Commander, NSW Police Force Marine Area Command (MAC), whether they be the appointed LEOCON or not, is the Chair of the Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committee. This Sub Committee is to meet at a frequency as determined by the Commander, MAC, at intervals of not greater than 6 months. The Commander, MAC, is to ensure a contact list of persons, positions and, or establishments pertinent to the planning, response and recovery arrangements herein is maintained and circulated at intervals of not more than 6 months. Dissemination of the Contact List shall be directed to members of the Sub Committee and other relevant organisations as the Commander, MAC, deems appropriate. Persons included on the Contact List, prior to their inclusion on the list, are to be advised their details will be circulated, from time to time, to various parties as the Commander deems appropriate for the purpose of these planning arrangements. Where possible, the Contact List is to include 24‐hour, 7‐day contact details for persons or organisations and should nominate which needs to be contacted in the first instance of an incident or emergency. This detail may be a person, an office or an operations centre. As Chair, the Commander, MAC, is responsible for administration and maintenance of this document, the Contact List and the Sub Committee’s business and documentation.

1.11 Exercising and Review

Exercising

The capability of combat agencies, participating organisations and functional services areas to respond effectively to emergencies needs to be regularly exercised.



The LEOCON is responsible for ensuring all or part of this plan is tested and evaluated. They are to arrange for an exercise to be designed and conducted, at least annually, to ensure all relevant agencies are familiar with:

a) Their roles and responsibilities; b) Control and coordination arrangements; c) The content and operational concepts of this plan; d) Operation of the MEOC, its functions and its Standing Operating Procedures

(SOPs).

Maintenance and Review

The LEOCON is responsible, in collaboration with the SHMEPSC, for the maintenance and review of this plan. The Plan is to be reviewed following or where:

a) An operation was conducted; b) An exercise to test this plan; c) Planning deficiencies are identified; d) Roles or responsibilities change; or e) At least every three years.



2. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITES

2.01 General

This part describes the primary roles and responsibilities of each agency. Unless otherwise stated, the roles and responsibilities stated in this part apply equally to the management of both incidents and emergencies. Roles and responsibilities nominated in this plan should not conflict with agreed roles and responsibilities of the same entities as those nominated in higher level emergency management plans, sub plans and supporting plans. If there is a conflict, the higher level plan shall prevail except where the variance has been endorsed by the management of the organisation or organisations in which, or with the conflict exists. Each agency mentioned within this document has agreed, within their capabilities, to the roles, responsibilities and control arrangements detailed. Agreement is on the basis that those arrangements are likely to be the most effective for the purposes of emergency preparedness, response or recovery. This does not preclude the flexibility to adjust roles and groupings, as circumstances demand, in consultation with the Combat Agency and the LEOCON. Agencies may also have incumbent statutory obligations or functions to fulfil in either, or both, day‐to‐day and emergency operations. It is not intended to enumerate or duplicate all those functions in this document except where there is a reason to particularly highlight a role or responsibility. Agencies should have an intimate knowledge their functions and obligations. Where there is a potential conflict for over which shall prevail or concerns regarding agency capability or capacity, the affected agencies are to openly consult with the combat agency and the appropriate EOCON.

Liaison Arrangements

A Liaison Officer means a person, nominated by an organisation or Functional Area, to represent that organisation or Functional Area at a control centre, an emergency operations centre or coordination centre. A liaison officer maintains communication with and conveys directions/requests to, their organisation or Functional Area, and provides advice on the status, capabilities, actions and requirements of their organisation or functional area. Where appropriate, liaison officers have the authority to commit their agency’s resources. Liaison Officers also serve as a source of gathering intelligence from within their agency during emergency operations. At the request of a Combat Agency Incident Controller or EOCON, agencies are to provide a Liaison Officer at the combat agency Control Centre or EOC on a continuous basis for the duration of the operation (if necessary).



During combat agency managed operations, the Combat Agency Incident Controller will determine, in consultation with the EOCON, which location provides the most effective communication and coordination capabilities. Where a combat agency requests liaison attendance at their Control Centre, but does not have sufficient facility resources to support the required activities, the EOCON will determine the facility and location where Liaison Officers will attend. In the event a Liaison Officer cannot be deployed but an agency is directed to participate in EOC operations, the agency must ensure that reliable communications are available between the EOC and the commanders of the respective agency.

Operations Support Staff

Apart from liaison officers, agencies may be requested to commit administrative and operational support staff to assist the LEOCON control or support emergency operations.

Education, Training and Exercising

All agencies will, where possible and within their capacity to do so, endeavour to: a) Educate relevant staff about the arrangements in this plan; b) Allow personnel, having a role or function in this plan, attend emergency

management training and exercises; and, c) Assist in such matters with regards to personnel, facilities, resources and

equipment and information.

2.02 Rescue including Search and Rescue Operations

The NSW Police Force (NSWPF) has statutory responsibility for the co‐ordination of rescue operations with some exceptions. Coordination of, and response to land and marine rescues are to be conducted in accordance with legislation and the State Rescue Policy. Under Section 50 of the SERM Act, police at scene to co‐ordinate etc rescue operation

(1) The senior police officer present at the scene of a rescue operation is responsible for co‐ordinating and determining the priorities of action of the agencies engaged in the rescue operation.

(2) This section applies whether the agency so engaged in the rescue operation is a permanent or volunteer agency.

(3) This section does not apply to a rescue operation if the control of the rescue operation is vested by law in some other person or agency, such as:

(a) a rescue operation in which the person or property is endangered by fire and at which a member of a Fire Brigade is in charge, or

(b) a rescue operation which results from an emergency and which is subject to the control of some other person or agency in accordance with Part 2.



(4) This section applies despite anything to the contrary in any other Act. Overall co‐ordination of Search and Rescue operations is also the responsibility of NSWPF with the Police’s Marine Area Command (MAC) having particular responsibility for co‐ordinating marine search and rescue operations under state and national arrangements. It is acknowledged that land components of the several islands within the Harbour may be above the medium high water mark. However, access to those islands mainly requires the use of marine craft and, therefore, rescue operations are likely to be responded to by marine assets. To that end, co‐ordination and on‐site coordination will be controlled by the MAC in the first instance. Section 50(3)(b) needs to be taken into consideration where the rescue operation results from an emergency.

2.03 Agency Roles and Responsibilities

Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

As a Functional Area (Environmental Services)

a) Provide advice concerning the protection of the environment during response and recovery operations;

b) Provide one or more advisors whose responsibility is to give expert scientific advice regarding environmental protection to the Marine Pollution Controller and Incident Controller. (The advisors provide advice only within their area of expertise and do not provide regulatory or policy advice on behalf of the EPA);

c) Provide any necessary scientific/technical, environmental personnel to support to the response including:

i. assistance in assessing environmental impacts; ii. assistance with the identification and assessment of the hazardous

materials; iii. assistance in identification, provision and sourcing of appropriate

environmental monitoring equipment; iv. provision of technical and regulatory advice regarding options for

cleanup, waste transport, temporary storage, treatment and disposal of recovered oil, chemicals and contaminated debris;

As a Lead Agency

a) Execute enforcement and issue environmental protection directions under relevant legislation;

b) Conduct post response operation investigations following incidents or emergencies involving hazardous materials.



Fisheries NSW

As a Participant

a) Provide vessels and crews for logistics support and general tasks;

As a Functional Area Participating Agency (Agricultural and Animals Services)

a) Provide specialist advice regarding aquaculture, conservation and marine parks.

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW)

As a Combat Agency

In relation to Fire Districts (refer FRNSW for locations), the FRNSW is the identified combat agency for:‐

a) Taking all practicable measures for preventing and extinguishing fires and protecting and saving life and property in case of fire:

b) Land based hazardous materials incidents and emergencies throughout New South Wales, specifically for taking all practicable measures:

i. For protecting and saving life and property endangered by hazardous material incidents;

ii. For confining or ending such an incident; iii. For rendering the site safe:

c) Structural collapse (Urban Search and Rescue) under the arrangements in the Major Structural Collapse Sub Plan.

As a Participant

a) Upon receiving a call to a fire, respond with SPC and take charge of the fire fighting operations where FRNSW personnel and equipment are committed;

b) Where necessary, respond FRNSW resources to a nominated loading point for transportation by watercraft;

c) When requested, assist the SPC at a hazardous material incident or emergency within State waters including

i. specialist hazmat equipment, ii. specialist hazmat technicians, and iii. specialist hazmat analysis;

d) As the request of the NSWPF, perform rescue tasks consistent with State Rescue Policy.

Harbour City Ferries

As a Participant

a) Provide passenger carrying vessels and crew to assist with; i. transportation of personnel and equipment, and ii. evacuations;



b) Provide other facilities and personnel, as mutually agreed at the time.

Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW)

As a Marine Rescue Agency

a) Provide accredited marine rescue units and perform rescues; b) Provide marine radio support and monitoring capability;

As a Participant

a) Provide vessels and crews for logistic support and general tasks.

NSW Ambulance (NSWA)

As a Lead Agency

The NSW Ambulance is responsible for pre‐hospital management of all casualties including the establishment of casualty triage, treatment and transport.

As a Participant

a) Respond NSWA resources to a nominated loading point, for transportation by watercraft, or to nominated locations where casualties are to be landed;

b) Activate medical support helicopters, if necessary; c) Nominate a triage area, if required, in consultation with the combat agency or

site controller, as appropriate; d) Activate NSW Ambulance State Major Incident/Disaster Plan (AMPLAN), as

required; and, e) Notify the State Health Services Functional Area Coordinator.



NSW Police Force (NSWPF)

As a Combat Agency

Under State EMPLAN arrangements and relevant marine sub plans, the NSWPF is the identified combat agency for:

a) Counter terrorism activities; and, b) Located explosive devices and, as specified, other terrorist weaponry.

As a Lead Agency

The NSWPF is the lead agency for co‐ordinating searches for missing persons, vessels or aircraft and co‐ordinating rescue within this State. Similar functions are conducted in Commonwealth Waters, at the request of a national authority, under International Conventions.

As a Participant

NSWPF Marine Area Command (in relation to the waters and islands) a) Perform on‐water site control functions until a Site Controller is appointed; b) Provide a suitable vessel for site control operations; c) Perform marine rescues; d) Provide watercraft and operators to enable access to and egress from the

operations site; e) Provide police divers and the co‐ordination of any commercial or volunteer

divers assisting with operations, which are not under the direct control of an appointed salvage operator or the SPC;

f) Maintain the MEOC and facilities within it; g) Co‐ordinate police support;

NSWPF in general:

a) Perform land‐based site control functions until a Site Controller is appointed; b) Provide support to the combat agency, functional services area or other

agencies, as required; c) Perform searches for missing persons, aircraft or vessels d) Control, co‐ordinate or perform perimeter, access, egress, traffic and crowd

control functions; e) Control, co‐ordinate or provide for security of persons, property, premises or

structures as may be necessary; f) Manage and coordinate evacuations including managing Disaster Victim

Registration (DVR) and assigning police to hospitals for the same; g) Assist the Coroner in identifying the dead including managing Disaster Victim

Identification (DVI); h) Establishing temporary morgue facilities, if required; i) Identify injured persons; j) Notify the next of kin of dead or injured persons;



k) Maintain and operate a Public Information and Inquiry Centre of providing general information on emergencies to members of the public.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

As a Participant

a) Provide small vessels and crews for appropriate and general on‐water tasks; b) Assist with fire fighting and evacuations;

As a Functional Area Participating Agency (Agricultural and Animals Services)

a) Provide specialist advice regarding wildlife (including plants and animals) concerns.

b) Provide personnel and equipment for marine mammal response.

NSW State Emergency Service (NSWSES)

As Combat Agency

Under State EMPLAN arrangements and relevant sub plans, the NSWSES is the identified combat agency for:

a) For storm, flood and tsunami emergencies, which includes; i. coordinating the responses of agencies supporting operations, ii. issuing and dissemination of warnings, iii. directing the evacuation of persons and, or communities at‐risk.

Each relevant Storm, Flood and Tsunami Sub Plan details further responsibilities.

As a Participant

a) Provide small vessels and crews for appropriate rescue and general on‐water tasks;

b) Provide personnel, equipment and support for general land‐based tasks.

Roads and Maritime Services (Maritime Division)

As a Participant

a) Provide trained emergency response staff and support to the Combat Agency and Sydney the Sydney Ports Corporation, if not the combat agency;

b) Provide available emergency response vessels and crew.



Shell (Aust) Pty Ltd.

As a Facility Operator

Responsible for controlling incidents within its terminal for land‐based hazardous material or oil spills under the ultimate control of the F&RNSW as combat agency. If the spillage enters adjacent State Waters, the SPC is responsible for clean‐up operations.

As a Participant

a) Provide available fire response vessels and crews; b) Provide marine spill and pollution response equipment and operators.

Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC)

As Combat Agency

Under State EMPLAN and its marine sub plan arrangements, Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC) has been delegated as combat agency for State Waters from Catherine Hill Bay to Garie Beach, including Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay relating:

a) Oil spills, hazardous materials incidents and maritime emergencies on State Waters, which includes the entire area of operation under this plan;

b) Fires aboard vessels within port limits, in conjunction with FRNSW.

As a Participant

a) Provide assistance to FRNSW in combating land based hazardous material incidents entering State waters.

b) At the request of FRNSW, provide assistance in combating land‐based fires on the islands or adjacent lands.

c) Where necessary, provide Port Emergency Fire Float, Port Emergency Response Vessel or tugs;

d) Identify and liaise with the port agent of a vessel involved with or affected by an emergency event;

e) Identify and liaise with the any salvage operator or agent of a vessel involved with or affected by an emergency event.

Transport for NSW

As a Functional Area (Transport Services)

a) Coordinated additional passenger carrying vessels and crew to assist with; i. transportation of personnel and equipment, and ii. evacuations;

b) Coordinate other transport support to any emergency.



As a Lead Agency

Transport for NSW has a number of roles and responsibilities depending on the location of a maritime incident, its size and complexity. Transport for NSW as the statutory agency under the National Plan (oil and chemical spills) arrangements for:

a) Assisting the Incident Controller in the coordination of resources from the other Port Corporations, Roads and Maritime Services and AMSA, if requested to do so;

b) Providing support to the Marine Pollution Controller when monitoring or supporting the response to a large or complex maritime incident or emergency; and,

c) Providing briefings to the SEOCON.

2.04 General Combat Agency Matrix

Emergency Situation Combat Agency

Animal Health Emergency Department of Primary Industry

Aviation Emergency EOCON

Earthquake EOCON

Fire in Rural Fire District NSW Rural Fire Service

Fire in a fire district (urban) Fire & Rescue NSW

Flood and Storm NSW State Emergency Service

Hazardous Material Emergency – Land Fire & Rescue NSW

Hazardous Material Emergency – Inland Waters

Fire & Rescue NSW

Hazardous Material Emergency – State waters

Port Authority or Roads and Maritime (depending on location)

Land Slip Emergency EOCON

Law Enforcement NSW Police Force

Marine Oil Spills Port Authority or Roads and Maritime (depending on location)

Major Structure Collapse SEOCON or DEOCON then Fire and Rescue NSW once it is determined a USAR response is required.



Pandemic NSW Health

Searches for missing people NSW Police Force is responsible for coordinating *

General land rescue NSW Police Force is responsible for coordinating *

Terrorist Act NSW Police Force

Tsunami NSW State Emergency Service

2.05 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) – Australian Defence Force (ADF)

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has several facilities on Sydney Harbour. Under oil spill sub plan arrangements, the RAN has accepted responsibility for dealing with oil spills within naval waters. The RAN is able to deal with minor spills using its own combat resources. More significant spills will require the assistance from the relevant agencies.

2.06 Australian Defence Force Assistance

Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC)

As a general principle, the provision of DACC should be regarded as the exception rather than the rule. Defence resources are intended to be primarily used for Defence purposes only. Before DACC is provided, it is to be formally requested, agreed to, and accepted by Defence. The decision to provide DACC support and commit Defence assets will depend on each circumstance and is to be made in full consideration of prevailing operational, fiscal and policy conditions. DACC is divided into two classes, emergency and non‐emergency, and comprises six categories. However, only Emergency Assistance is cited later in this section.

Emergency Assistance:

Category 1 ‐ local emergency assistance (DACC 1)

Category 2 ‐ significant emergency assistance (DACC 2)

Category 3 ‐ emergency recovery assistance (DACC 3)

Non‐emergency Assistance:

Category 4 ‐ non‐emergency significant Defence assistance (DACC 4)



Category 5 ‐ non‐emergency local Defence assistance of a minor nature (DACC 5),

Category 6 ‐ non‐emergency law enforcement (DACC 6)

DACC requests should be addressed in a particular fashion. When it is realised an Emergency DACC request is likely, early notification through the appropriate pathway for the particular category and continued liaison is strongly recommended. Emergency DACC are categorised as follows:

Category 1‐ local emergency assistance (DACC 1) DACC 1 is for a specific task(s) provided by the Senior Australian Defence Force Officer (SADFO) or Unit Commander, from within their own resources, in localised emergency situations where immediate action is necessary to save human life, alleviate suffering, prevent extensive loss of animal life or prevent widespread loss and damage to property. Duration of assistance shall normally not exceed 48 hours. If DACC 1 is requested from an ADF facility, the REOCON is to be notified as soon as is practicable that such assistance was requested.

Category 2 ‐ significant emergency assistance (DACC 2)

DACC 2 applies to assistance beyond that provided under DACC 1, during a more extensive or continuing disaster response directly related to saving human life or alleviating human suffering or preventing the loss or damage to property when State/Territory resources are inadequate. This may include short term recovery activities during the transfer of tasks to local and state recovery agencies in the immediate aftermath of an emergency. Duration of assistance shall depend on nature, scope of emergency and available resources. DACC 2 requests are to be directed for consideration to the REOCON, who will refer the request to the SEOCON, if necessary. Requests for assistance under this category are made to the Commonwealth via the SEOCON, who is the approving officer for New South Wales. The SEOCON will liaise with the Joint Operations Support Staff (JOSS) NSW as the ADF’s point of contact for emergency DACC in NSW.

Category 3 ‐ emergency recovery assistance (DACC 3)

DACC 3 is associated with recovery from a civil emergency or disaster, which is not directly related to the saving of life or property that involves longer term significant recovery activity, such as reconstruction of the physical infrastructure and the restoration of emotional, social, economic and physical wellbeing. Duration of assistance shall depend on nature, scope of recovery effort and available resources. Unless a waiver is approved, this category involves direct cost recovery.



Emergency request under this category for non‐life or non‐property threatening situations (eg. the simple grounding of a ship) should be refer to the REOCON, who will contact the SEOCON, if necessary. Requests for assistance under this category are made to the Commonwealth via the SEOCON, who is the approving officer for New South Wales. The SEOCON will liaise with the Joint Operations Support Staff (JOSS) NSW as the ADF’s point of contact for emergency DACC in NSW.



3. CONTROL & CO‐ORDINATION ARRANGEMENTS

3.01 General

Under the SERM Act and through EMPLAN response arrangements, there are two overall modes of control and coordination for emergencies in the State of New South Wales: Combat Agency Controlled or Emergency Operations Controller Controlled. Combat agency control and coordination arrangements and agency role assignments are mostly allocated under the State’s emergency management arrangements. The Roles and Responsibilities Section of this document reflects or extends those assignments as agreed by the agencies participating in this plan for the purpose of achieving an effective response in a marine environment. The functions of an EOCON may be exercised without the need for a declaration of a state of emergency, but during a state of emergency the exercise of those functions is subject to Division 4 of the SERM Act.

Combat Agency Controlled

Particular agencies are identified within EMPLAN as being the Combat Agency for a particular type of emergency event (refer list of events in annex). A combat agency is responsible for controlling the response operations for event for which they are identified. Controlling involves the overall direction of activities being undertaken by participating agencies and individuals. EMPLAN, other subordinate plans and planning arrangements serve as mechanisms to identify the agency responsible for controlling an emergency, or to modify existing arrangements where necessary, and facilitate support to the identified combat agency. A combat agency’s Incident Controller (IC) is the individual who is responsible for the control and coordination of emergency response measures undertaken within the extent of the authority of the agency as defined in relevant legislation, the SERM Act or EMPLAN. An IC is the final authority in decision‐making in relation to the incident or emergency within their area of responsibility.

Fully Managed by Combat Agency

A combat agency can elect to manage all aspects of response to a significant incident or an emergency ‐ including recovery ‐ from within its own resource base or through established memorandums of understanding or mutual aid agreements, or via other contractual arrangements. Recovery arrangements are governed by the NSW Recovery Plan.



When a significant incident is imminent, has occurred or is likely to escalate to an emergency, the combat agency’s IC is to notify either the LEOCON or the REOCON, as soon as is practicable, are to be informed and regularly updated. Combat agencies, and those supporting them, will likely employ their native operational control system. In some agencies, this is likely to be the Incident Control System (ICS). Operational control systems may differ and an understanding of the difference, in advance, would be advantageous before personnel need to be integrated in response or recovery operations. Agencies assisting will need to be informed, familiarised, educated or trained in a particular system for controlling significant events where integration is needed.

Supported by Emergency Operations Controller

A combat agency may request support from the LEOCON. Where appropriate, this support can be for:

a) Supplementing resource shortfalls; b) Arranging and coordinating Functional Area support (eg. transport, welfare or

engineering); and, or c) Controlling particular parts of the operation (eg. establish and maintain

marshalling area, assist with supporting evacuations). When support is requested from the LEOCON, existing emergency management arrangements will be used to facilitate that support. This allows the combat agency to concentrate on the task of suppressing the hazard, directly mitigating its effects or responding to saving life and property within its particular expertise and its specific equipment. The combat agency’s IC will regularly consult with the LEOCON to determine activities, tasks and support operations required. This includes:

a) Ensuring operational strategies and tactics are developed to meet the operational objectives;

b) Operational plans are developed and communicated to relevant stakeholders, in a timely manner;

c) Arrangements for liaison between the combat agency and supporting agencies are established in consultation with the LEOCON.

An IC should implement an Incident Management Team (IMT) under their operational control system (usually the ICS model) to assist them in determining the strategies, priorities and actions in response to the incident or emergency. The combat agency’s IC has responsibility to ensure that the EOCON and other relevant stakeholders are kept informed. Conversely, the Emergency Operations Controller has a responsibility to inform the combat agency IC of actions being taken in support of the



operation. Therefore, a clear and open method of communication needs to be established between those two parties to ensure both their responsibilities are met.

Emergency Operations Controller Controlled

In this plan, the LEOCON is a Police Officer appointed by the REOCON to perform similar functions to that of a LEOCON as nominated in the SERM Act (refer definition in this plan). There are three circumstances where the LEOCON will control an emergency response operation in its entirety. Those being where:

a) There is no identified combat agency for an emergency event. Therefore, by default, the LEOCON will control the emergency;

b) EMPLAN has specifically nominated an emergency is to be controlled by an EOCON (eg. aviation emergency); or,

c) Control is assumed or transferred to an EOCON under the protocols of the SERM Act for such transfers of the control of operations at state, regional or local Level.

Under those circumstances, the LEOCON will need to implement an appropriate management structure and may use the ICS model, if they so desire, to manage the coordination and functions required to address the emergency situation. The AIIMS ICS model allows for a Multi Agency Coordination module to report directly to the IC, who is the LEOCON in this case. The LEOCON is not responsible for controlling an emergency operation where the REOCON or the SEOCON has assumed control. The LEOCON is subject to the direction of the REOCON whether it be a supported or a controlled operation.

3.02 Site Controllers and Site Control (Points)

A Site Controller is responsible for determining a site, establishing a site control point and controlling the on‐ground activities in response to an emergency, which are not under the direct control of the combat agency. The senior police officer at the scene of an emergency should consider establishing Site Control for the purpose of determining what support the combat agency may need, controlling the area around the event and mitigating convergence. Site Controllers should arrange for relevant agency liaison officers (including police) to attend their site control point to affect proper control but should be aware many agencies may lack personnel resources in the early stages on an emergency. If necessary, policing functions should be passed to another appropriately ranked police officer to allow the senior officer to focus on site control priorities. The LEOCON or REOCON should consider a formal appointment of one or more site controllers as per common planning and operational arrangements. This has the benefit of



clearly indicating to others that emergency management arrangements have been implemented. In a marine context, a site control point is likely to be on board a suitably sized vessel positioned at a safe distance away from the emergency but, generally, within sight of it. Additionally, some site control measures may need to be exercised at other on‐water and land‐based locations near the event or in support of it. The respective EOCON should consider this need in widespread or multi‐sited events Site Controllers are responsible to, and report directly to an EOCON, as their field representative, and are subject to that EOCON’s direction.

3.03 Marine Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC)

General

A MEOC may be used to: a) Control marine emergency operations; or, b) Coordinate support to a combat agency.

During combat agency supported operations the LEOCON may consider providing a liaison officer to the combat agency operations centre. With respect to a MEOC facility, the LEOCON is responsible for:

a) Activating and controlling the facility as they deem appropriate or as directed by the REOCON or the SEOCON;

b) Preparing and maintaining facility Standard Operating Procedures; c) Providing familiarisation training for agencies and supporting staff; d) Ensuring sufficient trained personnel are available to support operation of the

facility, when required; e) Maintaining an operational contact directory and list of the facility’s support

staff. The NSWPF Marine Area Command (MAC) Commander is responsible for establishing and maintaining a MEOC within the MAC base and to provide personnel to initiate activation of the MAC based MEOC. Where possible, all agencies are to assist and support the LEOCON and the MAC Commander in the establishment, maintenance, activation and support staffing of a MEOC in addition to liaison officers when requested.



Communications

Marine incident and emergency operations use radio and marine telephony as the primary means of communications for the control and co‐ordination of operations on water. The MAC Based MEOC is to have the required equipment to also communicate via those modes. MRNSW have SARCC, Marine Radio Bases and other mobile assets that could be available to assist with operations in the event of a marine radio or telephony communication fail at the MEOC or to supplement communications requirements. The exact make‐up of the array of communications equipment that should be in a MEOC is to be determined by the participating agencies including arrangements for a courier service.

Radio Frequencies List

The NSWPF MAC will maintain a table of the radio frequencies, which is to be provided to the SHMEPSC at intervals of no greater than 6 months. The SHMEPSC is to ensure the frequencies are contemporarily accurate and will distribute that list to members and observers, who are likely to utilise those frequencies in response or in support to operations.



4. RESPONSE STAGES & ACTIONS

4.01 General

Emergencies generally occur as sudden impact events; often giving little or no warning. Therefore, it is likely many responses will be initiated, mobilised and deployed from the Call‐Out Stage under the following arrangements. However, where possible and appropriate, arrangements should flow from the Alert Stage through to the Stand‐Down Stage progressively, escalating and deescalating as necessary.

4.02 Alert Stage

Trigger Action ‐ Alert Stage

Combat Agency or EOCON receives advice on operations which could escalate to an actual or imminent emergency, or which could require coordination of support. With life threat or mayday related events, notify MACSAR Hotline ( 1800 622 727) or 000 (Triple Zero)

Combat Agency:a) Notify LEOCON and

i. provide a situation report and situational analysis,

i. advise if support is likely to be requested, ii. co‐ordinate support or perform tasks as

requested, iii. maintain situational awareness;

b) Keep LEOCON apprised.

LEOCON: a) Ensure relevant combat agency and MAC are

aware of event and i. provide a situation report and situational

analysis, ii. ask if support is likely to be requested;

b) If no combat agency, take control of operations and notify agencies of control arrangements;

c) Notify relevant response, supporting and functional area agencies regarding likelihood of deployment and requirement Liaison Officers and support staff;

d) Notify REOCON or REMO; a) Maintain situational awareness. b) Consider appointment of site controllers; c) Consider activation of the MEOC, call in staff if

activated.



General:In all cases, any organisation receiving advice of an incident with a potential to become an emergency is responsible for advising MACSAR. Advice may also be received via marine radio. Urgent marine communications protocols will apply with, where possible, the addition of direct notification to a SARCC Base or NSWPF. Even in the Alert Stage, all parties may need to consider public warnings, public information and media management may be necessary. Consultation or a joint operation for the same needs to be considered.

4.03 Call‐Out Stage

Trigger Action ‐ Call‐Out

Combat Agency or EOCON determines formal control operations or support required. With life threat or mayday related events, notify MACSAR Hotline ( 1800 622 727) or 000 (Triple Zero)


i. provide a situation report and situational analysis,

ii. advise if support is likely to be requested; b) Keep LEOCON apprised.

LEOCON: a) Ensure relevant combat agency and MAC are

aware of event and i. provide a situation report and situational

analysis, ii. ask if support is likely to be requested, iii. co‐ordinate support or perform tasks as

requested; b) If no combat agency, take control of operations

and notify agencies of control arrangements; c) Notify relevant response, supporting and

functional area agencies regarding a high likelihood of deployment and requirement Liaison Officers and support staff;

d) Notify REOCON or REMO; e) Maintain situational awareness; f) Consider deploying liaison officer to the combat

agency’s operations centre/point;



g) Consider appointment of site controllers; h) Consider activation of the MEOC, call in staff if

activated; i) Conduct impact assessments during the event; j) Consider likely recovery implications and

consequential planning; k) Determine exit strategies and timelines for de‐

escalation, in consultation.

General: All parties may need to consider public warnings, public information and media management may be necessary. Consultation or a joint operation for the same needs to be considered. For extended operations, regular briefings and debriefings will need to be conducted. This is to be applied to field operations; operations centre and co‐ordination centre; and, emergency operations centre environments.

4.04 Stand‐Down Stage

Trigger Action ‐ Stand‐Down

Combat Agency or EOCON determines support is no longer required.


i. provide advice of exit strategies and de‐escalation timetables,

ii. provide final situation report and final situational analysis;

b) Keep LEOCON apprised of stand‐down progress and when all assets stood‐down.

LEOCON: a) Ensure Combat Agency Incident Controller is

made aware: i. exit strategies and de‐escalation

timetables, ii. provide final situation report and final

situational analysis; b) Keep Combat Agency Incident Controller apprised

of stand‐down progress and when all assets stood‐down.



c) Notify REOCON or REMO of stan‐down progress; d) Maintain situational awareness; e) Consider staged release of liaison officers; f) Consider staged release of site controllers; g) Consider staged de‐activation of the MEOC; h) Finalise impact assessment reports; i) Nominate multi‐agency and MEOC debrief dates.

General: All parties may need to consider continued public information and media management. In some cases, support operations may de‐escalate prior to combat agency operations have concluded. An alternate situation might also be the case. All agencies need to de‐escalate and stand‐down in consultation with the Combat Agency’s Incident Controller or the EOCON, as is appropriate to whichever was controlling their operations or assets. The EOCON and the Combat Agency should consult directly between them on release of assets and finalised tasks.

Debriefs: Each agency shall conduct Hot Debriefs at the conclusion of assigned tasks or at being stood down. A MEOC Debriefing is to be held on a date not more than seven (7) days following the event but before the Multi Agency Debrief Date. Activation sequence, staffing and SOPs are to be examined in addition to any other issues. An incident or emergency event Multi Agency Debrief is to be held on a date not more than fourteen (14) days from the conclusion date of an event. All relevant reports are to be provided to the Multi Agency Debrief. Selected senior staff are to attend the Multi Agency Debrief. Final reports are to be completed and distributed by agencies in accordance with Standing Operating Procedures.



5. ANNEXURES

Annexure A

Map and Area Description

Map



Boundaries

Sydney Harbour is defined under the Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation 2012. That definition includes “all tidal bays, rivers and their tributaries connected or leading to Sydney Harbour bounded by mean high water mark”. For clarification the area covered in the definition:

a) extend outwards from Sydney Heads into part of the Tasman Sea below mean high water mark enclosed by the arc of a circle of radius 4 nautical miles having as its centre the navigation light at Hornby Lighthouse;

b) includes the Parramatta River to it eastern most weir (Charles Street Weir); c) includes the Lane Cove River to the Lane Cove Weir at West Chatswood north of

Fullers Bridge; d) includes Middle Harbour and Middle Harbour Creek approximately to the

Bungaroo Track (Pipeline Track) near the suburb of Davidson north of the Roseville Bridge;

e) is prescribed as State Waters (Marine Pollution Regulation 2006) An alternate geographic name often used for Sydney Harbour (proper), Middle Harbour and North Harbour is Port Jackson. However, the latter geographic name does not formerly indicate that all tidal bays, rivers and their tributaries within the Port’s description in a prescribed way.

Surrounding Emergency Management Regions

Sydney Metropolitan Emergency Management Region

North West Metropolitan Emergency Management Region

South West Metropolitan Emergency Management Region

Surrounding Local Government Areas by Region

Sydney Metropolitan North West Metropolitan South West Metropolitan

Leichhardt Hunters Hill Ashfield

Mosman Ku‐ring‐gai Auburn

North Sydney Lane Cove Canada Bay

Sydney Manly

Woollahra Parramatta



Ryde

Warringah

Willoughby

General Geographic Information

a) 19 km in length from its entrance (33 km including the Parramatta River); b) 55 km² in area (Sydney Harbour proper, Middle Harbour and North Harbour); c) 562 million cubic metres in overall volume at high tide; d) 317 kilometres total perimeter; e) 13.7 m average depth in Sydney Harbour proper with overall average of 10.7m; f) a single entrance, known as Sydney Heads (North Head and South Head); g) Middle Harbour is fed by Middle Harbour Creek and extends north‐west to

passed the Roseville Bridge; h) the Parramatta and the Lane Cove Rivers and many smaller tributaries flow

directly into Sydney Harbour starting west of Birchgrove; i) dozens of small harbour coves and bathing beaches.

General Environmental Information

There are a number of aquatic reserves, critical habitat and endangered ecological communities, such as: an endangered population of ‘Little Penguins’ in North Harbour and seagrass beds in the same area; several other threatened and rare species in, and under Sydney Harbour including seahorses, soft corals and sponges; mangrove and salt marsh areas along the Parramatta River, Middle Harbour, Lane Cove River and Duck River.

Major Navigational Hazard

While there are numerous general navigational hazards associated with a large working harbour, one major navigational hazard exists. The Sow and Pigs Reef is the only shoal in the Harbour’s navigational reaches for large vessels. This reef is situated on the eastern side of the main shipping channel between Middle Head and South Head. It is 150 metres long, up to 70 metres wide and is exposed at very low tide. It is well marked and lit.

Naval Waters and Other Water‐side Restricted Zones

Several portions of the Harbour are designated as Naval Waters or Water‐side Restricted Zones. Operations within those areas may require notification to, consultation and collaboration with the relevant Naval Superintendent, the facility’s operator or the SPC as appropriate. On occasion, temporary exclusion zones are implemented for special events or purposes which will require liaison with Sydney Ports Corporation.



Islands

Within Sydney Harbour are a number of islands of comparatively small area (6.6 km total length). Some islands are under the control of the Commonwealth and managed under lease or covenant. They are of interest from both a commercial and a recreational perspective, namely:

Shark Island Cockatoo Island

Clark Island Spectacle Island

Fort Denison Snapper Island

Goat Island Rodd Island

Bridges and Tunnels

Traversing the Harbour, its bays and tributaries are several significant land transport bridges and a sub‐surface road tunnel along with other smaller road and pedestrian bridges, (only road and rail crossings are listed):

Spit Bridge M2 Epping Road Bridge

Roseville Bridge Fullers Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge Ryde Bridge

Sydney Harbour Tunnel John Whitton Bridge (Rail at Meadowbank)

ANZAC Bridge Silverwater Bridge

Iron Cove Bridge James Ruse Drive Bridge

Gladesville Bridge Camellia – Rydalmere Rail Bridge

Tarban Creek Bridge Macarthur Street (Parramatta)

Fig Tree Bridge

Surface Movement, Infrastructure and Major Facilities

Sydney Harbour is an extensive working port with all manner of vessel plying its waters. On any given day, many hundreds of craft use the Harbour’s waters and its supporting infrastructure.



The types of vessels can range from very large cruise ships, oil tankers and capital class military vessels to passenger ferries, harbour cruiser boats, sailboats and smaller pleasure vessels. During the year, several signature public events can account for a significant increase in the number of small pleasure craft on the water in addition to daily operations. As a working port, the Harbour has a supporting infrastructure and some major facilities scattered along its foreshores. Facilities include dockyards; berths; ferry wharves and jetties; and, terminals for commercial, public or military use. Within the area, there are 31 private marinas servicing motor boats and yachts with some providing refuelling and slipway facilities. Other major facilities include oil terminals and industrial sites. Some have their own berths with a few suitable for sizable vessels. The more significant facilities include:

Circular Quay (Ferry Wharves)

Circular Quay (Overseas Passenger Terminal)

Clyde Oil Terminal

Darling Harbour (King Street Wharf, National Maritime Museum & Pyrmont Bay Wharf)

Glebe Island (Bulk Cement) Terminal

Gore Bay Oil Terminal

HMAS Kuttabul & Garden Island Naval Docks

HMAS Penguin

HMAS Waterhen

HMAS Watson

White Bay (Overseas Passenger Terminal)

Light and medium industrial areas at Rhodes, Silverwater, Rydalmere, Camellia, Clyde



Annexure B

Definitions

Note: The definitions used in this plan are sourced from The State Emergency & Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), other New South Wales legislation, and The Macquarie Dictionary (Second Edition, 1991). Where possible, the reference source is identified as part of the definition (eg. the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended), is identified as SERM Act). A reference to any part, division, sub‐division, section, sub‐section or schedule of an Act is a reference to the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act unless specifically stated otherwise.

Accredited Rescue Unit A rescue unit accredited by the Minister under Division 4 of Part 3.

Agency

A government agency or a non‐government agency. [SERM Act]

Combat Agency

The agency identified in the State Emergency Management Plan as the agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to a particular emergency. [SERM Act]

Command The direction of members and resources of an agency / organisation in the performance of the agency / organisation's roles and tasks. Authority to command is established by legislation or by agreement with the agency / organisation. Command relates to agencies/organisations only, and operates vertically within the agency/organisation. [EMPLAN]

Control

The overall direction of the activities, agencies or individuals concerned. [SERM Act]

Convergence The propensity for emergency services personnel and others to be physically drawn to an emergency site, and the over‐use of communications near the site. [Australian Emergency Management Glossary]

Co‐ordination

The bringing together of agencies and individuals to ensure effective emergency or rescue management, but does not include the control of agencies and individuals by direction. [SERM Act]

Disaster An occurrence, whether or not due to natural causes, that causes loss of life, injury, distress or danger to persons, or



loss of, or damage to, property. [Community Welfare Act]

Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

The term given to procedures used to positively identify deceased victims of a multiple casualty event. One of the greatest problems arising in any multiple casualty incidents is the identification of victims to the satisfaction of the Coroner. [NSWPF DVI Manual] Note: The process may require in‐situ position, evidence and property plotting, ante‐mortem and post mortem investigation.

Disaster Victim Registration (DVR)

It is the process used to record the movements or intended movements of displaced persons, whether injured or not, as well as ensuring inquiries from concerned friends and relatives can be expeditiously dealt with. [NSWPF Incident and Emergency Standing Operating Procedures]

Emergency

An emergency due to an actual or imminent occurrence (such as fire, flood, storm, earthquake, explosion, terrorist act, accident, epidemic or warlike action) which:

a) endangers, or threatens to endanger, the safety or health of persons or animals in the State; or

b) destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, any property in the State, being an emergency which requires a significant and co‐ordinated response.

For the purposes of the definition of emergency, property in the State includes any part of the environment of the State. Accordingly, a reference in the Act to:

a) threats or danger to property includes a reference to threats or danger to the environment, and

b) the protection of property includes a reference to the protection of the environment.

[SERM Act]

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

A centre established at a state, regional or local level as a centre of communication, and as a centre for the co‐ordination of operations and support, during an emergency. [SERM Act] Note: EOC can be used as a generic term to mean any EOC. For specificity, use SEOC (State), REOC (Regional) or LEOC



(Local) to denote a particular level of operation.

Emergency Service Means: a) the NSW Police Force b) Fire and Rescue NSW c) NSW Rural Fire Service d) NSW Ambulance e) NSW State Emergency Service f) Volunteer Rescue Association, or g) any other agency which manages or controls an

accredited rescue unit. [SERM Act]

Functional Services Area

A category of services involved in the prevention of, preparation for, responses to or recovery from an emergency, including the following:

a) agricultural and animal services, b) telecommunications services, c) energy and utility services, d) engineering services, e) environmental services, f) health services, g) public information services, h) transport services, i) welfare services.

[SERM Act]

Functional Area Coordinator Means the nominated coordinator of a Functional Area, tasked to coordinate the provision of Functional Area support and resources for emergency response and recovery operations, who, by agreement of Participating and Supporting Organisations within the Functional Area, has the authority to commit the resources of those organisations. [EMPLAN]

Hazard

Means a potential or existing condition that may cause harm to people or damage to property or the environment. [EMPLAN]

Hazardous Material

Anything that, when produced, stored, moved, used or otherwise dealt with without adequate safeguards to prevent it from escaping, may cause injury or death or damage to property. [Fire Brigades Act]

Hazardous Material Incident

An actual or impending land‐based spillage or other escape of hazardous material that causes or threatens to cause injury or death or damage to property. [Fire Brigades Act]



Hazardous Materials Emergency

Any hazardous materials incident which requires a significant and co‐ordinated response. Such emergencies may be land based or occur on or in the inland waters or the State waters of New South Wales. [NSW HAZMAT CBRN Sub Plan]

Incident

A localised event, either accidental or deliberate, which may result in death or injury, or damage to property, which requires a normal response from an agency, or agencies. [EMPLAN] Note: An incident may become an emergency when the resources of agencies involved are insufficient to deal with the event, thus, requiring further external, scarce or specialist resources and an increased level of co‐ordination to manage the consequent response.

Lead Agency

An agency that has overall leadership in a given situation. It could be a Combat Agency, a Functional Area or another agency (eg, in Recovery). [EMPLAN]

Liaison Officer (LO)

Means a person, nominated or appointed by an organisation or functional area, to represent that organisation or functional area at a control centre, emergency operations centre, coordination centre or site control point, a liaison officer maintains communications with and conveys directions/requests to their organisation or functional area, and provides advice on the status, capabilities, actions and requirements of their organisation or functional area. [EMPLAN]

Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON)

A person appointed under Section 30. A LEOCON has functions under Section 31. Those functions include ‐ subject to other provisions within the Section and in accordance with the SERM Act ‐ responsibility for controlling the response to an emergency that affects only the relevant local government area for which they are appointed. As the waters under this plan are not within a Local Government Area, this document – as a Sub Plan ‐ modifies the meaning for the purpose of identifying a person to undertake the functions equivalent to those of a LEOCON. In this plan, it specifically means a police officer designated by the Regional Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON)



to perform the functions of the Local Emergency Operations Controller for the waters of Sydney Harbour. Generally, the designated person will be the Commander of NSW Police Force’s Marine Area Command. However, this can be varied as the REOCON deems appropriate. Note: a reference in this document to ‘the LEOCON’ is a reference to the police officer designated above unless otherwise indicated. A person designated as Deputy LEOCON shall have the same functions when the LEOCON is not available.

Local Government Area (LGA)

An area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 but can also mean a combined local government area as approved under section 27.

Logistics

The range of operational activities concerned with supply, handling, transportation, and distribution of materials. Also applicable to the transportation of people. [EMPLAN]

Marine Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC)

The centre established as a centre of communications during a marine emergency established for the purpose of conducting operations.

Marine Pollution Controller High level Government Official appointed by the Minister for Roads and Ports with responsibility for coordinating the overall State response to large or complex incidents involving the actual or potential oil or chemical spill into State waters and take responsibility for liaison with the relevant Ministers, SEOCON, industry representatives, ship owner, salvor and media as required in consultation with the Combat Agency. [NSW State Waters Marine Oil and Chemical Spill Contingency Plan]

Marshalling Area A prearranged, strategically placed area, where support response personnel, vehicles and other equipment can be held in readiness for use during an emergency.

Minister The Minister for Police and Emergency Services. [EMPLAN]

Non‐government Agency

A voluntary organisation or any other private individual or body, other than a government agency. [SERM Act]

Plan

A step by step sequence for the conduct of a single or series of connected emergency operations to be carried out simultaneously or in succession. It is usually based upon stated assumptions, and is a promulgated record of a previously agreed set of roles, responsibilities, functions,



actions and management arrangements. The designation 'plan' is usually used in preparing for emergency operations well in advance. A plan may be put into effect at a prescribed time, or on signal, and then becomes the basis of the emergency operation order for that emergency operation. [EMPLAN]

Premises Includes any place, building, vehicle, vessel or aircraft or any part of any premises. [SERM Act]

Preparation

In relation to an emergency includes arrangements or plans to deal with an emergency or the effects of an emergency. [SERM Act]

Prevention

In relation to an emergency includes the identification of hazards, the assessment of threats to life and property and the taking of measures to reduce potential loss to life or property. [SERM Act]

Recovery

In relation to an emergency includes the process of returning an affected community to its proper level of functioning after an emergency. [SERM Act]

Region

An area determined by the Minister under section 21. The State is divided into such regions as the Minister may determine by order published in the Gazette. Any such order may describe the boundaries of a region by reference to local government areas, maps or otherwise.

Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC)

A committee established under Section 22 for an emergency management region. Such a committee has functions under the Section 23. Those functions include, but are not limited to:

a) being responsible for preparing and reviewing plans in relation to the prevention of, preparation for, response to and recovery from emergencies in the region for which it is constituted;

b) assisting the Regional Emergency Operations Controller for the relevant region in the Controller’s role.

Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC)

The centre established at Regional Level as a centre of communications during an emergency established for the purpose of conducting operations. Refer Section 25(4)



Regional Emergency Operations Controller (REOCON)

A person holding the rank of a Region Commander, NSW Police Force, as per Section 24. A REOCON has functions under Section 25. Those functions include ‐ subject to other provisions within the Section and in accordance with the SERM Act ‐ responsibility for controlling the response to an emergency:

a) that affects more than one local government area in the region, or

b) for which the Regional Emergency Operations Controller assumes responsibility.

Note: In this plan, a reference to ‘the REOCON’ is a reference to the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Operations Controller unless otherwise indicated.

Rescue

Means the safe removal of persons or domestic animals from actual or threatened danger of physical harm. [SERM Act]

Rescue Unit

a unit (comprising a group of persons) which carries out rescue operations for the protection of the public or a section of the public. [SERM Act]

Response

In relation to an emergency includes the process of combating an emergency and of providing immediate relief for persons affected by an emergency. [SERM Act]

Risk

A concept used to describe the likelihood of harmful consequences arising from the interaction of hazards, communities and the environment. [EMPLAN]

Site Control

The location from which the Site Controller, agency commanders and functional areas coordinate the emergency. It usually includes the relevant Emergency Service Commanders and Functional Area Coordinators and other advisers as required. [EMPLAN] Note: Multiple Site Control Points can be employed to manage segmented portions of a large site or more than one geographically dispersed sites.

Site Controller A police officer appointed by and subject to the direction of an emergency operations controller to be responsible for determining the site, establishing site control and controlling on the ground response to an emergency.



Until the Emergency Operations Controller appoints a Site Controller, the Senior Police Officer will assume control. [EMPLAN] Note1: Multiple Site Controllers can be appointed to manage segmented portions of a large site or more than one geographically dispersed sites. Note2: The EOCON is taken to generally mean the relevant LEOCON or REOCON for the area concerned. However, the SEOCON ‐ by definition ‐ can appoint a Site Controller.

State Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN)

Under the Section 12: There is to be a State Emergency Management Plan. The object of the State Emergency Management Plan is to ensure the co‐ordinated response to emergencies by all agencies having responsibilities and functions in emergencies. The State Emergency Management Plan is to:

a) identify, in relation to each different form of emergency, the combat agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to the emergency, and

b) provide for the co‐ordination of the activities of other agencies in support of a combat agency in the event of an emergency, and

c) specify the tasks to be performed by all agencies in the event of an emergency, and

d) specify the responsibilities of the Minister, the State, Regional or Local Emergency Operations Controller and the State Emergency Recovery Controller.

Note: Further information on the operation of EMPLAN is mentioned in Section 13.

State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON)

A person appointed under Section 18. The appointee has responsibility and functions under Section 19, in that ‐ subject to other provisions within the Section and in accordance with the SERM Act ‐ they are responsible for controlling the response to an emergency:

a) that affects more than one region, or b) for which the State Emergency Operations

Controller assumes responsibility.



State of Emergency A state of emergency declared by the Premier under Section 33(1). Note: Other New South Wales legislation also provides for a declaration of an emergency which has different meanings and different authorities within that specific legislation ‐ that is: Essential Services Act, 1988; Dam Safety Act, 1978; and Rural Fires Act, 1997 (as amended). [SERM Act] With regard to directions by the Minister to government agencies, Section 36 of the SERM Act establishes the precedence of the SERM Act prevailing over anything to the contrary in any Act or law, except the Essential Services Act 1988. Refer the SERM Act for further references.

State Waters In this document, refers to the prescribed definition in the Marine Pollution Regulation 2006 which defers to the description of Sydney Harbour as mentioned elsewhere in this document’s definition.

Sub Plan

An action plan required for a specific hazard, critical task or special event. It is prepared when the management arrangements necessary to deal with the effects of the hazard, or the critical task or special event differ from the general coordination arrangements set out in the main or supporting plans for the area. [EMPLAN]

Supporting Plan

A plan prepared by an agency, organisation or functional area, which describes the support which is to be provided to the controlling or coordinating authority during emergency operations. It is an action plan which describes how the agency, organisation or functional. [EMPLAN]

Sydney Harbour The waters of Sydney Harbour and of all tidal bays, rivers and their tributaries connected or leading to Sydney Harbour bounded by mean high water mark together with that part of the Tasman Sea below mean high water mark enclosed by the arc of a circle of radius 4 nautical miles having as its centre the navigation light at Hornby Lighthouse. [Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation 2012]

Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committee (SHMEPSC)

The Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committee is established as a sub committee of the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Committee. The Sub Committee is responsible for, and reports to the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Emergency Management Committee on matters concerning planning and preparing



for, responding to, recovering from emergencies.

Vessel (under the Maritime Service Act, 1935) Any ship, lighter, barge, boat, raft, craft and any floating object or apparatus used wholly or in part for the conveyance of persons or things by water, or whatsoever description and howsoever navigated, and includes amphibious vehicles, seaplanes, hydroplanes, hovercraft, sunken or stranded vessels and the wreck or remains of any vessel (under the Marine Safety Act, 1998)

(1) In this Act (Marine Safety Act, 1998) vessel includes water craft of any description used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(2) Without limiting the above, a vessel includes: (a) any non‐displacement craft, and (b) a seaplane, but only while it is on water.

(3) However, a vessel does not include anything declared by the regulations not to be a vessel and includes anything used on water that is declared by the regulations to be a vessel.

Welfare In this plan means any centre established to provide welfare services to disaster victims. It may be an Evacuation Centre, Disaster Relief/Recovery Centre, Welfare Assembly Centre, One Stop Relief Centre or an Accommodation Centre.



Abbreviations

AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority

DVI Disaster Victim Identification

DVR Disaster Victim Registration

EMPLAN State Emergency Management Plan

EOC A generic term to denote an Emergency Operations Centre of any level (see also SEOC, REOC, LEOC)

EOCON A generic term to denote an Emergency Operations Controller of any level (see also SEOCON, REOCON, LEOCON)

EPA Environmental Protection Authority

FRNSW Fire & Rescue NSW

ICS Incident Control System (also known as AIIMS ICS). Some agencies use variants (eg ICCS, OSRICS)

IMT Incident Management Team

LEOCON Local Emergency Operations Controller

LGA Local Government Area

LO Liaison Officer

MACSAR Marine Area Command Search and Rescue Hotline

MEOC Marine Emergency Operations Centre

NSWA NSW Ambulance

NSWPF NSW Police Force

REMO Regional Emergency Management Officer

REOC Regional Emergency Operations Centre

REOCON Regional Emergency Operations Controller

SARCC Search And Rescue Coordination Centres



SEOC State Emergency Operations Centre

SEOCON State Emergency Operations Controller

SERCON State Emergency Recovery Controller

SERM or SERM Act State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, 1989 (as amended)

SHMEPSC Sydney Harbour Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committee

SPC Sydney Ports Corporation



Annexure C

Beaching sites east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

No Location Average Depth of Water

Nature of Bottom

UBD Edn.45 2009

G.P.S.

1. Spring Cove 7 metres Sand M198 D14

33˚48.36’ 151˚17.23’

2. Chowder Bay 5 metres Sand M217 F12

33˚50.27’ 151˚15.10’

3. Rose Bay 5 metres Sand M237 L9

33˚52.13’ 151˚15.54’

4. Darling Point 5 metres Sand M236 P9

33˚52.1’ 151˚14.02’

5. Whiting Beach 8 metres Sand M216 Q15

33˚50.48’ 151˚14.13’

6. Farm Cove 8 metres Mud M236 H7

33˚51.50 151˚13.03’



Beaching sites west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

No Location Average Depth of Water

Nature of Bottom

UBD Edn.45 2009

G.P.S.

1. Ball’s Head Bay 8 metres Mud M215 M12

33˚50.26’ 151˚11.21’

2. Off Clarke’s Point 6 metres Mud M215 G14

33˚50.40’ 151˚10.25’

3. Five Dock Bay 5 metres Mud M214 M16

33˚50.55’ 151˚08.47’

4. Hen & Chicken Bay

3 metres Mud M234 C6

33˚51.38’ 151˚07.26’

General: All bays towards Parramatta from Hen & Chicken Bay have an average depth of 3 metres or less and would be suitable for beaching.

Suitable wharves/evacuation points

The following tables list the sites considered suitable as evacuation and disembarkation points. These sites are accessible by ambulances and have adequate lighting for the sites to be use during hours of darkness. It should be noted that where large numbers of persons need to be taken ashore, whether injured or uninjured, both the NSWPF and NSWA consider the wharves at White Bay or Glebe Island might be used. However, if no ships are alongside, of those two locations, only White Bay provides some shelter and a possible 'triage' point for casualties. The wharf area is subject to tidal influences, but with the provision of a floating pontoon, good access would be available.



Wharves considered to have good access for vehicles and vessels east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

No Location Wharf Type UBD Edn.45 2009 G.P.S.

1. Manly Wharf, Manly

Wharf & Pontoon

M198 B10

33˚48.05’ 151˚16.65’

2. HMAS Penguin, Balmoral

Wharf M217 G6

33˚49.37’ 151˚15.25’

3. Rose Bay Public Wharf, Rose Bay

Wharf M237 J10

33˚52.22’ 151˚15.40’

4. Taronga Zoo Wharf, Mosman

Wharf M217 A15

33˚50.53’ 151˚14.2’

5. Mosman Wharf, Mosman

Pontoon M216 N12

33˚50.24’ 151˚13.52’

6. Cremorne Point Wharf, Cremorne

Pontoon M216 M16

33˚50.6’ 151˚13.47’

7. Garden Island Dockyard, Woolloomooloo

Wharf M2 & M236 H14 M7

33˚51.56’ 151˚13.38’

8. Hayes Street Wharf, Neutral Bay

Pontoon M216 H14

33˚50.38’ 151˚13.05’

9. Man ‘O’ War Steps, Opera House

Pontoon M236 G5

33˚51.35’ 151˚12.53

10. All Ferry Wharves, Sydney Cove

Pontoon M1 & M236 11 E6

33˚51.45’ 151˚12.35’

11. Campbell’s Cove Wharf, Sydney Cove

Pontoon M1 & M236 J7 E4

33˚51.30’ 151˚12.31’

12. No. 9 Wharf, (Towns Place) Walsh Bay

Wharf M1 & M236 D7 B4

33˚51.28’ 151˚12.06’



Wharves considered to have good access for vehicles and vessels west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

No Location Wharf Type UBD Edn.45 2009 G.P.S.

1. Luna Park Wharf, Alfred St South, Milsons Pt

Wharf M1 J1

33˚51.04’ 151˚12.35’

2. Marine Area Command Balmain

Pontoon M235 N5

33˚51.4’ 151˚11.25’

3. Roads and Maritime Rozelle

Pontoon M235 J10

33˚52.16’ 151˚10.44’

4. Pyrmont Point Park White Bay

Wharf M235 P7

33˚51.52’ 151˚11.32’

5. Valencia Street Wharf Hunters Hill

Wharf M215 G12

33˚50.26’ 151˚10.29’

6. Huntley’s Point Wharf Betts Park, Gladesville

Wharf M214 K14

33˚50.37’ 151˚08.28’

7. Meadowbank Wharf Bowden St, Meadowbank

Wharf M213 E5

33˚49.22’ 151˚05.23’

8. John Street Wharf Recreation Reserve Rydalmere

Pontoon M212 C4

33˚49.13’ 151˚02.36’

9. Charles Street Wharf Charles St, Parramatta

Wharf M211 E2

33˚48.54’ 151˚00.32’



Annexure D

Considerations Checklist (select items as appropriate to the situation and select the order of actions as appropriate)

Considerations/Actions Considerations/Actions

Confirm location Activate MEOC

Confirm nature of the event Request Liaison Officers

Confirm casualties Request Support Staff

Determine extent of event Prepare Briefings

Situational Analysis Disaster Victim Registration

Situation Report Disaster Victim Identification

Notify Combat Agency DVR Coordination Centre (Police Duty Operations Inspector)

Notify MACSAR (1800 622 727) Public Warnings

Notify Triple‐Zero (000) Public Information Inquiry Centre

Notify relevant response agencies Public Information

Notify Sydney Ports Authority Media Liaison

Notify LEOCON/REOCON/REMO Impact Assessment

LEOCON LO to Combat Agency Exit Strategies

Identify disembarkation points Stand‐Down Timetables

Identify embarkation points Recovery considerations

Site Control Points

Appoint Site Controllers

Nominate Marshalling Areas

Notify relevant support agencies

Notify relevant Regional Functional Areas Coordinators



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