Page Sections: Living in the City | Working in the City | Managers and Owners
Wollongong’s Central Business District (CBD) arrangements have been put in place to ensure police and emergency service agencies can manage an emergency which may require a full or partial evacuation of the Wollongong CBD. Incidents that could be managed using these arrangements include major building fires; hazardous materials incidents; power or water failures or a terrorist incident.
The plan provides advice for workers, visitors and residents in the CBD area during a serious emergency. There are also detailed plans in place to transport people home, keep them safe while waiting to return to work or home, or to temporarily accommodate them.
Living in the City
Wollongong’s Central Business District (CBD) for the purpose of these arrangements is the area bounded by Market Street (to the north); Corrimal Street (to the east); Stewart Street (to the south); and Gladstone Avenue/Denison Street to the west. It includes both residential and commercial areas.
What happens in an emergency in the CBD?
Agreements and arrangements between the different agencies involved in Emergency Management are documented in plans. The Wollongong Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) is the document outlining the agreed roles and responsibilities of agencies in the Wollongong local government area. It is active at all times, and the arrangements contained in it apply permanently.
The Wollongong CBD Emergency Arrangements is a sub plan to the DISPLAN and was established to manage a serious emergency event in the Wollongong CBD.
Every emergency is different, so it is not possible to provide detailed instructions about what to do. However, in a major emergency, if you are not involved in the incident, but are close by or believe you may be in danger, the best advice is to go inside a safe building, stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise, and tune in to the local radio for information.
What if I need to evacuate?
If you live in an apartment building or find shelter in a commercial building, you will need to follow existing evacuation plans. You will be told which CBD Safety Site to evacuate to, so listen to the advice of the authorities or tune in to your local radio station for details. Once you are at the Safety Site you will be provided with information regarding travel home, moving to another area or returning to your building. This process may take time and you are asked to cooperate and be patient.Wait until you are given appropriate instructions before trying to leave a Safety Site. Do not organise relatives or friends to pick you up as inwards traffic will be controlled by Police.
Special arrangements will be made for vulnerable and special needs groups as well as CBD residents and tourists.
Local transport services may be substantially disrupted, there may be road closures and blockages, so you will be directed to the most appropriate transport terminal to start your journey home, which may not necessarily be your normal method or route. People who can walk home may be encouraged to do so.
Working in the city
Thousands of people drive or catch public transport into the Wollongong CBD every day. If an emergency occurs, it is important that workers in the city know what to do.
If you work in the city, your place of employment will have its own evacuation and emergency procedures in place to help you get out of the building safely if you need to. If you don’t know where the emergency exits are, or what the procedures are, you should ask your employer or building supervisor.
What happens in an emergency in the CBD?
Agreements and arrangements between the different agencies involved in Emergency Management are documented in plans. The Wollongong Local Disaster Plan (DISPLAN) is the document outlining the agreed roles and responsibilities of agencies in the city of Wollongong local government area. It is active at all times, and the arrangements contained in it apply permanently.
The Wollongong CBD Emergency Arrangements is a sub plan to the DISPLAN and was established to manage a serious emergency event in the Wollongong CBD.
Every emergency is different, so it is not possible to provide detailed instructions about what to do. However, in a major emergency, if you are not involved in the incident, but are close by or believe you may be in danger, the best advice is to go inside a safe building, stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise, and tune in to the local radio for information.
If you are in a building with designated Fire or Emergency Wardens you should listen for their instructions. They will inform you if you need to remain in place or evacuate the building. You may also get instructions from appropriate authorities such as the Fire Brigade or Police.
If you don’t have any designated emergency personnel and are unsure of what to do, tune into your local radio station and get an update of the situation.
What if I need to evacuate?
If you work in a commercial building, you will need to follow existing evacuation plans. These plans will have been developed to meet the specific needs of your building. Your Fire Warden/Emergency Warden or authorised emergency personnel will tell you which Assembly Area or CBD Safety Site to evacuate to. If you are unsure, you should tune in to your local radio to get advice about what to do.
Once you are at the Safety Site you will be provided with information regarding travel home, moving to another area or returning to your building. This process may take time and you are asked to cooperate and be patient. Wait until you are given appropriate instructions before trying to leave a Safety Site. Do not organise relatives or friends to pick you up as inwards traffic will be controlled by Police.
Special arrangements will be made for vulnerable and special needs groups as well as CBD residents and tourists.
Local transport services may be substantially disrupted, there may be road closures and blockages, so you will be directed to the most appropriate transport terminal to start your journey home, which may not necessarily be your normal method or route. People who can walk home may be encouraged to do so.
Managers and owners
Building managers and owners should have an Emergency Management Plan in place for their building and practice it regularly.
Planning for emergencies
There is an obligation that building owners and managers develop procedures for the safety of people in buildings, structures and workplaces during emergencies.
Australian Standard AS 3745 Emergency Control Organisation and Procedures for Buildings, Structures and Workplaces, the Building Code of Australia, and OH&S requirements all provide information on what is required.