We received six high quality submissions for the 2014 Risk Management Excellence Awards. The awards aim to promote innovation in risk management and reduction.
The Statewide Mutual Risk Management Excellence Awards (RMEA) recognise NSW councils who implement superior risk management programs using the principles of identification, evaluation, control and measure.
The awards exist to promote:
recognition of risk management as a management structure;
awareness of risk management issues;
innovation in risk reduction; and
recognition of that innovation
The judging panel consists of Statewide Mutual Risk Management Committee members.
A total of six submissions were received from NSW councils for the 2014 awards, with Canada Bay Council taking out the gong for their submission ‘Street Tree Priority Removal Programme’.
Canada Bay Council ‘Street Tree Priority Removal Programme’
The council has a major problem with Camphor Laurel trees in the area causing significant damage to both council and public assets. They looked to design and implement a solid methodology to identify and prioritise the removal of these trees.
The trees have caused significant damage to property and attracted significant claims. A few statistics:
Since 2005, Council has received 148 claims related to property damage from street tress to the value of approximately $1 million.
The have caused 261 footpath tripping hazards.
118 out of the 445 trees have caused damage to private property.
Key outcomes of the Street Tree Priority Removal Programme have been:
creation of an inventory of all street trees in the council area;
creation of a street tree priority listing of 445 trees based on claims data and tree condition, including potential for property damage claims;
budget allocation of $250,000 per annum for tree removal;
removal of 39 trees to date with a total claims history totalling $300,000; and
allow Council to have an additional defence under Section 42 of the Civil Liabilities Act when defending property claims as a result of street trees. Well done Canada Bay Council!
Our other quality submissions
Additional submissions received for the RMEAs included:
Cooma-Monaro Council – Volunteer Management System
Gunnedah Shire Council – Scenario Based Emergency Response Training and Development
Lachlan Shire Council – Merri Abba Bore Water Supply – from Design to Commissioning
Muswellbrook Shire Council – Design and Procurement of a Fuel Furnishing Vehicle
Parkes Shire Council – Strategy for improving risks at Parkes Shire Pools
Copies of all submissions can be viewed on the Statewide Mutual website or by contacting your Regional Risk Manager.