Goddess Mazu protects Docklands

Emergency services were called to Docklands last month to deal with the fallout from a major boat collision in Victoria Harbour.

Fortunately there were no casualties, as the collision was fictional.

The scenario aimed to test the emergency management and business continuity plans of the City of Melbourne and its partner agencies.

The City of Melbourne hosted Exercise Mazu in Docklands last month with more than 100 people from different agencies attending the session.

The exercise was named Mazu after the indigenous Chinese goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors.

Attendees included Victoria Police, Metropolitan Fire Brigade and VICSES, along with the Port of Melbourne Corporation, Melbourne Passenger Boat Association and the Environment Protection Authority.

Local businesses including ANZ, National Australia Bank and Etihad Stadium were also involved.

According to a City of Melbourne spokesperson, the exercise was part of council’s commitment to the Victorian Emergency Management Reform White Paper.

The spokesperson said the paper asked local government authorities to ensure emergency management planning arrangements adopted an all-hazard, all-agencies approach.

According to the spokesperson, the paper also proposed that councils clarify roles and responsibilities for local government, recognising that any municipal emergency management plan was multi-agency.