LEMA Improvement Program

The review of the LEMA was driven by a recognised need for Western Australia (WA) to implement changes to support a more contemporary approach to local emergency management.

In 2019, WALGA requested an exploration of other approaches that may better build, support, and communicate emergency management capability. In response, SEMC approved a review of LEMA to be undertaken using a sector-led approach.

DFES, on behalf of SEMC, worked in partnership with WALGA to consult with key stakeholders, to identify issues, and investigate and develop options to:

• develop more fit-for-purpose LEMA
• streamline LEMA processes
• encourage currency
• support Local Governments that lack emergency management resources.

After extensive consultation and testing, a LEMA Improvement Plan was presented to SEMC and subsequently endorsed in August 2023. A more detailed Improvement Program to implement the plan was subsequently approved in December 2023. This Program sets out a series of project phases, with the initial phase underway and due for completion in March 2026.

Key activities

1. LEMA Improvement Program Board

The LEMA Improvement Program Board comprises representatives from DFES, WALGA, the SEMC, the Department of Communities, and the Department of Local Government Industry Regulation and Safety. The Board meets quarterly to provide oversight and governance for the LEMA Improvement Program and the current projects underway.

2. Local Government LEMA Working Group

WALGA continues to facilitate the Local Government LEMA Working Group with representatives from 10 diverse local governments. The Working Group has co-designed more fit-for-purpose LEMA templates and supporting resources for a pilot program and provided advice to DFES in the development of the Knowledge Hub.

3. Pilot Project

WALGA initiated the LEMA Pilot Program in early 2025 to test and refine new templates and resources as part of sector-led reform. An Expression of Interest was issued to Local Governments, inviting participation from those with LEMA due or overdue for renewal and willing to collaborate with WALGA and DFES. The participating local governments are the City of Kwinana and the Shires of Manjimup, Gingin, Chittering, and Shark Bay.

Pilot activities include testing revised templates, hosting Community Emergency Risk Assessment (CERA) workshops, and providing feedback to inform sector-wide guidance. The process involves active engagement from Local Emergency Management Committees, executive teams, and elected members to identify challenges and gather practical insights, supporting the roll-out of the new LEMA model across WA.

The feedback and learnings from the pilot local governments are informing the final project outputs and recommendations.

The Pilot Program has been extended until March 2026.

4. Knowledge Hub

DFES has launched a Local Government Emergency Management Knowledge Hub on the DFES.wa.gov.au website. The Knowledge Hub provides information on all local government roles, responsibilities, and requirements for emergency management as set out in the EM Act, Policy Plan and Procedures. These are organised into prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery (PPRR) and include links to policy documents and to useful resources.

DFES and WALGA will report back to SEMC in March 2026 with a comprehensive summary of the outcomes and learnings of these initial phases of the program and recommendations for the next phase. 

Building a more resilient Western Australia

The LEMA Improvement Program is a reform that will support a more contemporary approach to local emergency management, and result in a more capable and resilient community.

It will help the Western Australian emergency management sector address the challenges, risks, and community expectations brought about by the increased complexity, scale, and frequency of natural and other disasters.

Setting the scene

Since the June 2024 update, the LEMA Improvement Program teams have made much headway. Using the LEMA Review Project as the foundation, the team is expanding on the previous work and moving it to the next stage, while making sure the process is sector-led and lived experience guides this important reform.

The LEMA Improvement Program is delivered in partnership with the WA Local Government Association and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), on behalf of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC).

Key activities

1. LEMA Improvement Program Board

The LEMA Improvement Program Board held its inaugural meeting in September 2024 and continues to meet regularly. The Board, comprising representatives from DFES, WALGA, the SEMC, the Department of Communities, and the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries, will provide oversight and governance for the LEMA Improvement Program and the current projects underway.

2. Local Government LEMA Working Group

WALGA is leading a Local Government LEMA Working Group with representatives from 10 diverse local governments. Together, they are co-designing more fit-for-purpose LEMA templates and supporting resources. These products will be tested in a pilot program in 2025, aiming to enhance local government prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery (PPRR) capabilities.

3. Development of new LEMA tools

The project teams have been working collaboratively to design and develop new LEMA tools to streamline and enhance the efficiency of preparing LEMA, ensuring they are more suitable for local governments. The new tools will include a ‘Statement of Policy’ that provides a single reference for local governments to understand all their obligations and requirements, and new templates for developing the LEMA.

The Local Government LEMA Working Group has provided advice and recommendations to shape the design of the LEMA tools.

4. Accessible updates to the LEMA Guideline

The Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA) Guideline was recently updated to comply with State guidelines for publishing accessible digital documents.

Please note that local governments are not required to take action due to the update, and any current LEMA do not have to be amended. The updated and accessible LEMA Guideline can assist when a LEMA is due for review.

When the outcomes of the LEMA Improvement Program and local government pilot are known at the end of 2025, a comprehensive review of the LEMA Guideline will be undertaken.

Next steps

Planning is underway to pilot newly proposed LEMA tools and templates in 2025.

WALGA will seek expressions of interest from local governments interested in participating in the pilot in early 2025. Insights and recommendations from the pilot will help to refine the tools and templates and identify additional required guidance material.

Work has also commenced to develop a LEMA maturity assessment model. This model will provide local governments with a pathway to develop and improve their emergency management capability and maturity.

The maturity assessment model, along with the new tools and templates will work in tandem to enable local governments to understand their obligations and their capability and capacity to fulfill those obligations.

It is anticipated that the new resources will be available for local governments to use in the first half of 2026.

What if my local government’s LEMA is due for review now or in 2025?

Local governments are essential players in WA’s emergency preparedness, providing expert knowledge about their communities and environments. Capturing this local knowledge through contemporary LEMA is a key part of the SEMC’s oversight of emergency management arrangements and capability in Western Australia, contributing to a better-prepared, safer, and more resilient State.

Until the reform of LEMA, if your local government’s LEMA is scheduled for review, you should proceed as planned to maintain your obligations under the Emergency Management Act 2005.

Consult your local District Emergency Management Advisor for help and information about reviewing your LEMA.