Recovery Solutions for Recovering Communities

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, it’s vital that power, water and sewerage services are delivered to communities in need. Waste management is also a critical service that can require an emergency response.

In early 2015, Cyclone Marcia tore through Central Queensland and SUEZ’s Emergency Response team was there to help. SUEZ provided immediate support to both the Rockhampton Regional Council and Livingstone Shire Council and implemented waste management solutions to help the affected communities.

SUEZ’s rapid response team help ensure that communities are given the assistance they need, when they need it. SUEZ’s Central Queensland Regional Manager, Gavin Tunstall, was on the job within the first 24 hours identifying requirements and all necessary resources were mobilised within 48 hours of the disaster.

“First, we assessed the potential magnitude of the weather event and the impact on waste services. We considered the population, geography of the area including rivers and mountains and available access to existing infrastructure,” said Gavin.

“Leveraging previous experience, we created a plan communicating with various internal SUEZ managers, subcontractors and casual employees to establish what resources were available and what time frames we could mobilise them in.”

“A team of people from Brisbane, Central Queensland and Cairns grouped together and assisted with the clean-up,” he said.

With Cyclone Marcia, there were large volumes of bulk waste and green waste.

Recovery efforts in the Livingston Shire Council took 15 days, with 246 tonnes of bulk waste initially taken to SUEZ’s temporary transfer station at Yeppoon Landfill. Just over 40 per cent, or 98 tonnes of materials were recycled and sold to various recyclers.

The Rockhampton Regional Council was a larger project taking 23 days of clean-up efforts including 489 tonnes of bulk waste initially taken to a SUEZ temporary transfer station at the Lake Creek Landfill, with 42 percent or 205 tonnes recycled.

SUEZ provided a variety of specialised equipment to safely and efficiently implement the waste recovery plan.

“The collection and disposal of waste following an event is essential for successful disaster recovery,” said Gavin.

In this critical and busy time, safety remains at the core of the team’s approach. Safety management plans are prepared and signed off by both SUEZ and the client. All SUEZ, labour hire, casuals and subcontractors complete safety and site inductions. Daily toolbox talks and team moral keep personnel focused to help ensure that the team work closely together and all risks and hazards are identified with measures put in place to control them.

Gavin added “our focus is on doing our bit to get towns and cities back up and operating as swiftly and as safely as possible.”