What are LEMA?
Under the Emergency Management Act 2005, Local Governments must have Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA) in place. These include all emergency management plans, agreements, and documents, supporting coordinated emergency management at the Local level.
Local Governments develop, maintain, and test these arrangements to enhance community resilience across all phases of emergency management:
- Prevention/Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
Support for improved LEMA
Following completion of the LEMA Improvement Program in April 2026, WALGA will be supporting Local Governments to implement improved LEMA.
The State Government is expected to release updated LEMA templates, guidance and a statement of minimum requirements in mid- 2026
This work is funded by the SEMC through the National Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR) State Level Project Fund and includes a dedicated Project Officer through to September 2027.
WALGA’s work to support improved LEMA will include:
- delivery of webinars to support understanding and application of updated LEMA resources
- delivery of masterclasses focused on practical LEMA development and implementation
- updating and aligning WALGA Local Government emergency management training materials
- working with Hazard Management Agencies and support organisations to prioritise and coordinate Local Government support needs.
LEMA Improvement Program Overview
The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) initiated a sector-led review of LEMA in 2019, with WALGA leading Local Government Consultation.
The LEMA review identified key challenges for Local Governments, including:
- unclear roles and responsibilities
- limited resources
- poor alignment between emergency management and core business functions.
In response SEMC initiated the LEMA Improvement Program, delivered in partnership between WALGA and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on behalf of SEMC. This Program implemented key activities outlined in the WALGA LEMA Review Project Summary based on extensive consultations with Local Governments.
The Program has now concluded, with WALGA delivering updated LEMA resources informed by extensive Local Government consultation and tested through a Local Government pilot. These resources have been provided to SEMC and will inform the release of updated LEMA templates and guidance.
LEMA Improvement Program Highlights
Co-design and development
The LEMA Improvement Program was co-designed with Local Governments through a dedicated LEMA Working Group established in mid-2024. Representatives from 10 diverse Local Governments collaborated to develop and inform updated resources, tools and guidance.
Key outputs included:
- Local Government Incident Support Handbook
- Local Government Emergency Management Plan Template
- Local Government Emergency Management Work Plan
- LEMA Improvement Recommendations Report (February 2025)
Pilot Testing
In 2025/2026 WALGA delivered the LEMA Pilot Program to test and refine proposed new templates and resources. The pilot was a key part of the sector-led insights, aiming to ensure any proposed new LEMA model is practical, scalable, and fit for purpose.
The Five Pilot Local Governments were:
- City of Kwinana, Shire of Manjimup, Shire of Gingin, Shire of Chittering, and Shire of Shark Bay.
Outcomes and Insights
The pilot confirmed that the updated LEMA resources:
- improve clarity of roles and responsibilities
- provide a more structured and consistent approach to LEMA development
- better align emergency management with core Local Government business
- are adaptable across diverse Local Government contexts
The pilot also identified practical considerations for implementation, including resourcing, internal coordination and the importance of executive and elected member engagement.
A consolidated Pilot Outcomes Report, including lessons learned and recommendations for sector-wide application, is available here.
Local Government Emergency Management Knowledge Hub
The Local Government Emergency Management Knowledge Hub provides a central online access point for digital resource designed to support Local Governments in developing and maintaining their Local Emergency Management Arrangements (LEMA).
Important Notice
Until LEMA updates are released, continue with your scheduled LEMA reviews to comply with the Emergency Management Act 2005. If your LEMA is due or overdue for review, proceed to fulfil your obligations under the Act. For assistance, consult your local District Emergency Management Advisor.
