How Councils can learn from each other Following Emergencies

Council’s may be the authority when it comes to providing sign off on building approvals, but they too are also subject to the same building safety requirements and sign off processes for all Council owned buildings.  If found in breach of compliance in any way, they too are subject to heavy prosecution including fines, legal action and prosecution.

If you are part of a Council Governance Structure or have a position of Authority within a Council, this summary of three key incidents and lessons learned can help you be better prepared.

1. Liverpool City Council Chambers, NSW (Sydney) Arson, August 2010

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A deliberate Fire destroyed the Liverpool Council Chambers on Hoxton Park Road. Estimated damage: AUD 20–27 million. More than 80 firefighters responded. Alarm triggered about 30 minutes before major blaze spread.

2. Lake Macquarie City Council Chambers, NSW (Speers Point) - suspected Arson, November 2024
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A pre-dawn fire severley damaged parts of the three-story building. Emergency services received alarm at 3.50am; fire controlled by 5.15am. Estimated damage exceeded AUD 12 million.

3. Town of Claremont Chambers and Library, WA - Fire November 2010

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Heritage listed council chambers and library were devastated by a fire that began in the roof. Damage exceeded AUD 5 million, including loss of archival materials dating to 1898.

Cross-Incident Lessons for Council-Owned Properties

1. Early Detection and Evacuation Alerts

• Fire alarms and detection systems must be tested and maintained regularly. Early alerts and significantly reduce risk and limit damage

2.Business Continuity & Remote Operations

• Plans must include alternate meeting venues and staff relocation procedures to ensure uninterrupted council operations. Both Lake Macquarie and Liverpool Councils shifted functions offsite effectively.

3. Building Security and Surveillance

• CCTV, lighting, access control and alarm systems are crucial for preventing and responding to incidents. They also facilitate investigation and prosecution

4. Heritage and Document Protection

• Effective fire response, investigation and restoration require seamless collaboration among councils, Fire and Rescue services and law enforcement

5. Regulatory Framework and Standards Compliance

• Compliance with standards like AS3745-2010 (emergency planning) and state fire safety regulations ensures property, evacuation signage, diagrams, personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) and annual plan reviews.
• Supplementary fire safety maintenance alligned with Australian Fire Engineering Guidelines helps preserve system performance over time.

Recommendations for Councils

1. Conduct annual fire safety reviews covering alarm systems, signage, escape routes and PEEPs.
2. Undertake regular evacuation drills and update emergency plans
3. Install and maintain CCTV and monitored alarms, especially at public access points
4. Develop Heritage protection plans and redundancy for archives
5. Formalise multi-agency coordination procedures in incident response
6. Ensure Regulatory compliance under relevant state fire safety regulations and Australian Standards.

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