4 Key activities under the arrangements This chapter provides an overview of the key activities required or encouraged under the arrangements. This overview is included to provide readers with a high-level understanding of the arrangements which IGEM has monitored implementation of, and which IGEM will assess the efficiency and effectiveness of going forward. This overview uses a number of specific terms and phrases because of their particular meanings in the arrangements.
4.1 Sector resilience networks, plans and reports The Strategy recognises eight critical infrastructure sectors and a portfolio department is assigned to each. The Strategy outlines that the portfolio department for each sector is to chair a regular forum which includes representatives from industry, EMV, Victoria Police and, on invitation, other government departments and agencies. Industry members include representatives of owners or operators of critical infrastructure. The purpose of a Sector Resilience Network is to improve the resilience of a sector’s critical infrastructure assets and operations through joint planning, information sharing and reporting to government. In addition, a forum comprising members from each of the eight Sector Resilience Networks is to be regularly convened. This forum is called the All Sectors Resilience Network Forum and its purpose is to highlight the interdependencies between sectors and increase understanding of cross-sectoral vulnerabilities. The State Crisis and Resilience Council8, through its Risk and Resilience Sub-Committee, is to oversee the operation and activities of the Sector Resilience Networks to ensure accountability at the most senior levels of government. The central mechanism for each Sector Resilience Network to report to the State Crisis and Resilience Council is a Sector Resilience Plan developed annually by the respective portfolio department in consultation with industry. The Strategy outlines that portfolio departments are responsible for briefing relevant ministers on completed Sector Resilience Plans and monitoring the implementation of resilience improvement activities undertaken by industry. The purpose of a Sector Resilience Plan is to provide the Victorian Government with the status of, and continuous improvement arrangements for, each sector’s overall resilience. In addition, an All Sectors Resilience Report which summarises the resilience of Victoria’s critical infrastructure sectors is to be produced annually by EMV through the Risk and Resilience Sub-Committee of the State Crisis and Resilience Council. 8
The State Crisis and Resilience Council, per section 8 of the Act, consists of the head of each Victorian Government department, the Chief Commissioner of Police, the Chief Executive of EMV, the Emergency Management Commissioner, the IGEM (as an observer), and the Chief Executive Officer of the Municipal Association of Victoria as the representative of local government.
