Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Whether all the districts in the Western Cape have disaster management centres; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the location of each centre in the respective districts, (b) what are the operating challenges and (c) what achievements regarding weather related disasters to assist with emergencies in (i) other districts and (ii) areas outside the boundaries of the Western Cape?
All the districts and the City of Cape Town within the Western Cape have disaster management centres, with the most recent centre officially opened for Cape Winelands District Municipality on 6 June 2014. All the District Municipalities share a facility with the Department of Health: Emergency Medical Services which is more cost-efficient and provides the opportunity to streamline response in the district areas.
The below table is a response to [a], [b], [c]:
|
Metro/District Municipality |
Location |
Challenges |
Achievements |
|
City of Cape Town |
Corner of Frans Conradie and Hugo Street Goodwood |
None |
The City has a well capacitated centre in terms of disaster management officials and operates 24/7. Well established early warning systems are in place for weather related incidents. The City also has Memoranda of Agreement in place with neighbouring local municipalities such as Swartland Municipality with regards to flooding of the Diep River.
City of Cape Town has undertaken a Comprehensive Disaster Risk Assessment, identifying all the hazards/risks and this has led to the formulation of various hazard- specific disaster management plans and an updated Municipal Disaster Management Plan. |
|
Eden District |
54 York Street George |
Lack of capacity at Local Municipalities such as Kannaland. The integration of the newly procured software by the Department of Health. |
Eden District has installed electronic displays in Nelson Mandela Drive in George which depicts weather early warnings. Pro-active bridging of estuaries to prevent flooding of low laying areas takes place during flooding incidents. This is carried out in collaboration with Knysna, Mossel Bay and San Parks.
2009/2010 Water Management Plans were revised and updated and drought early warnings are in place. Communication takes place with other districts specifically with Central Karoo during weather related events such as flooding and / or snow in Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort.
|
|
Central Karoo District |
Traffic Weigh Bridge N1 Beaufort West |
Lack of capacity at District level and local level. The centre further lacks equipment due to budget constraints. |
The Head of Centre has excellent local knowledge of the area and early warning systems are established and in place for weather related incidents. Close working relationship is maintained with the local Non-Governmental Organisation namely “Hope”. Furthermore communication takes place with other districts specifically with Eden District during weather related events such as flooding and / or snow in Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort. |
|
Overberg District |
Long Street Bredasdorp |
There is a need to extend the physical building however due to budget constraints this will not be possible in the near future. Lack of capacity at District and local level |
Excellent working relationship with the South African Defense Force as well as Search and Rescue Organisations. Early warning systems are established and in place for weather related incidents. Communication takes place with other districts during weather related incidents specifically with Cape Winelands District regarding the flooding of Bree River. |
|
Cape Winelands District |
80 Murray Street Worcester |
The co-ordination and response by role-players on the Worcester side of the Du Toits Kloof does not always occur speedily. |
The district rolled out the disaster management software “UNITI” which is an information management and reporting system. Early warning systems are established and in place for weather- related incidents. Communication takes place with other districts during weather- related incidents, specifically Overberg and West Coast Districts.
|
|
West Coast District |
Station Way Moorreesburg |
The lack of capacity at District and local levels. The integration of the newly procured software by the Department of Health. |
Early warning systems are established and in place for weather related incidents. Communication takes place with other districts during weather related incidents specifically with Cape Winelands regarding the catchment area affecting Berg River. |
The districts have well established communication systems in place during weather-related incidents where the increase of rainfall in one district may cause rivers to burst their banks in another district. This communication between districts is a vital achievement and critical when dealing with weather-related incidents.
The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre [WCDMC] is always in a state of readiness and should it be required it can be utilised by any of the other centres as a back-up. The WCDMC also plays a supportive role to the other centres by assisting with coordination during weather related events.
Furthermore the Department of Local Government under the auspices of the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre has entered in a Collaboration Protocol with the neighbouring coastal provinces. The protocol calls for the provinces to materially assist each other and to co-ordinate the provision of services in their respective areas. It is envisaged that this protocol be adapted for the utilisation at a district level sphere.
