Emergency Management

Local Emergency Management Arrangements Plan

Local residents, workers and visitors are encouraged to maintain up-to-date knowledge of emergency preparedness so that they can respond appropriately if an emergency situation arises within the community. To assist this process, the Local Emergency Management Arrangements Plan (LEMA) ensures appropriate planning is in place in the event of an emergency or large-scale incident.

The updated LEMA and Local Recovery Plan (LRP) were unanimously accepted by Council on 26 August 2025. These plans provide guidance on how the City coordinates and operates during the recovery phases of a local emergency.

The Emergency Management Act 2005 requires local governments to prepare and maintain Local Emergency Management Arrangements for their district and to undertake a major review of their LEMA and LRP Plans every five years to ensure that effective local emergency management arrangements will be in place for its district, and to manage community recovery following an emergency affecting its district. The City had an existing LEMA and LRP Plan which was developed in 2020.

Local Emergency Management Arrangements Plan

Local Emergency Management Committee

The City of South Perth and the City of Canning facilitate a joint Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) that comprises local government staff and representatives from key agencies involved in emergency management including Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), State Emergency Service (SES), WA Police, St John, Curtin University, Perth Zoo and others. The LEMC meet on a quarterly basis to oversee emergency management planning for the two municipalities.

Emergency communication

Follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with public information relating to local residents, businesses, employees and visitors of the City. You can also listen to your ABC local radio station for emergency updates, advice and information.

Emergency WA warnings and incidents

To view real time information, alerts and warnings about fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, cyclones or hazardous material incidents, visit emergency.wa.gov.au.

The Emergency WA app is available for download through the App Store or Google Play on your mobile device. The app is a powerful tool that offers the fastest and most accurate way to get trusted alerts and warnings for hazards across Western Australia.

Emergency WA

Evacuation centres

There are three local evacuation centres in the City in the event of an emergency.

George Burnett Leisure Centre – Cnr Manning Rd and Elderfield Rd, Karawara
John McGrath Pavilion – 97 Hensman St, South Perth
Manning Community Centre – 2 Conochie Cres, Manning

The Department for Child Protection Family Services (CPFS) is the support agency responsible for emergency accommodation.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides useful information on animal welfare in emergencies.

Emergency preparedness for your household

Having an emergency plan is an important step towards preparing your household to survive and cope during an emergency. Preparedness experts recommend that all households have an emergency kit prepared.

Preparing for a bushfire