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ESU background

The Department of Emergency Services obtained the mandate to establish Emergency Service Units (ESU) under Section 89 (1) of the Disaster Management Act 2003.

The Disaster Management Act 2003 commenced on 31 March 2004. Part 7 of the DM Act provides that the chief executive may establish an ESU if satisfied:

the area is in a remote or rural location; and
the establishment of the unit would help the community in the area to use resources available to it to provide for the effective and efficient performance of the functions.

Before establishing an ESU for an area, the chief executive must consult with:

each local government which area is completely or partly in the area; and
other entities the chief executive is satisfied represent the interests of the community in the area.

Last updated 1 June 2005