Scientists say key systems missing from Emergency Management Bill
· RNZScientists say key systems for forecasting or dealing with storms and earthquakes are missing from a bill before Parliament.
A select committee has heard submissions on the Emergency Management Bill, aimed at fixing a slew of shortfalls in the country's disaster-proofing.
Earth Sciences general manager for climate and weather hazards, Dr Andrew Tait, told MPs the bill's list of essential infrastructure has gaps.
"Key scientific infrastructure, such as GeoNet and the national weather radar network, are missing from the current definition," he said on Friday.
"These systems are relied upon for real-time life-safety decision making."
GeoNet tracks quakes, landslides, tsunami and volcanic eruptions.
"We believe the legislation should explicitly consider whether hazard warnings constitute essential services," said Tait.
If Earth Sciences were designated as essential infrastructure - like telecoms providers, power companies and RNZ - then it would need more resources, he added.
"This bill must ensure that the science system is enabled and resourced to provide the evidence needed to make decisions."
The agency reiterated its strong support for the bill with its push for better coordination, resilience and risk reduction.
However, it had to make sure agencies everywhere could get hold of high-quality scientific data, tools and expertise, both Tait and his colleague general manager for geological hazards, Dr Graham Leonard, told the MPs.
One current push from Earth Sciences was working on a national flood model that could be matched with existing regional flood information.
The regional council info has been scattered, but the Environment Ministry was working to bring it together.
There was uncertainty in the bill around who decides about risk tolerance, and around developing standards, and that should be fixed, Leonard said.
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