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Shoalhaven targets risk management

The City of Shoalhaven, located 160 kilometres south of Sydney, spans 1,000 kilometres of coastline with pristine beaches, spectacular cliffs and rock formations. These unique characteristics, combined with the demands of rapid growth, the provision of infrastructure and ongoing maintenance gives rise to many risk management issues.

In response, Council has established a Corporate Risk Management Committee to review, prepare and implement risk management strategies. The committee provides risk management direction, advice and assistance to minimise liability and loss exposures and to maximise business opportunities. Some of the key issues identified included:

• fraud risk
• public liability
• occupational health and safety
• professional indemnity liability
• products liability
• environmental risks.

The committee has established a strategy for ‘Footpaths, Nature Strips and Road Pavement’. An inspection and reporting program for road pavement and footpath hazards are recorded into Council’s Action Management System. This program allows each hazard to be ranked and allocated to a responsible officer including a time frame for completion.

Since its adoption of the Road Pavement and Footpath Risk Management Procedures, Council has been denying public liability claims for footpaths and road pavement and to date no legal action has occurred.

In the past two years the following strategies have also been implemented to reduce Council’s risk exposure:

• Central Risk Register
• Coastal Reserves Risk Management Policy and Procedures
• Gathering Information Policy and Procedures
• Unsealed Roads Risk Management Procedures
• Safe Driving Policy
• Tree Management Policy Part 1 and Part 2
• Defect and Risk Management Inspection Procedures
• Volunteers Policy and Procedures.

Since introducing these strategies there has been an increase in risk management awareness from senior management to all staff. Management now accepts risk management as part of their responsibilities and are accountable for the implementation of strategies adopted by Council. The number of workers compensation claims and lost time injuries have also decreased.

The committee is currently developing procedures to deal with abusive/threatening customers and undertaking a security audit of all Council buildings. A review of the Risk Management Register for senior staff will also take place, with internal policies and procedures relating to Councillors and staff being reviewed.

For further information contact Stephen O’Neil, Risk Manager, on (02) 4429 3377.

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