Emergency management

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you have reason to believe you have come in contact with COVID-19 and feel unwell, please call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 for advice.

Latest updates relating to the City of Hobart's response to COVID-19 and other general information can be found on our COVID-19 updates page.

Are you prepared for an emergency?

The following booklet provides important information and resources to help you prepare for an emergency and be ready to respond in an urgent situation.

Preparing for an Emergency in Hobart booklet

Bushfire

Hobart is one of Australia's most fire-prone cities and it is vital that residents living adjacent to or near bushland and fire-prone areas take steps to reduce their fire risk. The City of Hobart is committed to minimising the risk of wildfire to its community, visitors and the natural environment.

Residents whose property may be at risk of bushfire are urged to create a vegetation buffer zones around their home and and to be ready to enact their bushfire plan if a fire approaches. 

Advice on preparing for bushfire

More information about bushfire management

Flooding

There are a large number of watercourses running through the City of Hobart. The steep slopes of Mount Wellington and the high rainfall nature of Tasmania means that there can be a considerable amount of water moving very quickly down Hobart’s watercourses.

See more information on what to do before, during and after a flood 

Extreme heat

Being prepared for extreme heat is important. This will reduce your risk of being affected by the heat.

Here are some simple things you can do when the weather gets hot(PDF, 672KB)

For more information, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Emergency evacuation

In certain circumstances, such as a bushfire or flooding, it may become necessary for you to evacuate from your home. 

The City of Hobart has a number of Evacuation Centres that can be established if necessary. The location of the Evacuation Centre will depend upon the nature and location of emergency.

During an emergency, contact us directly or visit our official social media channels, such as Facebook, for information about the location of our evacuation centres.

See more information on emergency evacuation

Pets and animals

It is up to animal owners to prepare for their safety and welfare in the case of an emergency. Planning now will reduce the stress during an emergency. 

Further details for pet management during emergencies

Insurance

Tasmania has its fair share of bushfires, floods, storms and other extreme weather events.

She’ll be right. Until it isn’t. is a new simple and impartial resource prepared by the Tasmanian Government to assist Tasmanians to:

  • understand the importance of having adequate insurance cover to help prepare for, and recover from, natural disasters
  • make informed choices when purchasing or reviewing their insurance.

Whether you're a renter, homeowner or run a business, the Insurance Checkup can help you to understand what level of insurance you need, how to find the right insurer for you, and what to do if you are affected by an emergency.

Resources are available at the Insurance Checkup website or in hard copy at Service Tasmania.

Telecommunications

Staying connected with your mobile phone or device is important during an emergency.

Telstra has provided a guide on how to prepare and stay connected.

Staying connected preparation guide

Impacts on businesses

A disaster toolkit has been developed by CPA Australia to assist businesses following a disaster. The toolkit provides a comprehensive guide for business owners following an unforeseen disaster event.

This guide has been prepared to assist business owners or managers to take a considered approach to the many elements of recovery following a disaster.

See the Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Businesses

Emergency contacts

The City of Hobart After Hours Emergency Telephone Number is 03 6238 2711.

In a life-threatening situation, always phone 000 (Triple-0).

View further Emergency Contact Details

Our Emergency Management Plan

The City of Hobart has an integral role in emergency management. It has resources that may be directly utilised and has access to other resources within the community and to vital information that will be required when responding to and recovering from an emergency. 

The City of Hobart Municipal Emergency Management Plan details how the City will reduce emergency-related risks to the community. It also provides a way to mitigate and counter the impact and effects of an emergency that may arise within the municipal area.

City of Hobart Municipal Emergency Management Plan(PDF, 1MB)