Background
The Auckland Engineering Lifelines Project (AELP) was established by the Auckland Regional Council in 1996 and involved some 40 organisations comprising local government, utilities, and other interest groups. The AELP mission was to identify measures and co-ordinate efforts to reduce the vulnerability of Auckland’s lifelines to hazard events and to improve service reinstatement after a disaster. The project focussed on four natural hazards (earthquake, volcano, cyclone, tsunami).
The Auckland Lifelines Group (ALG)[1] was subsequently established in 2000 to continue the work of the AELP.
The ALG is a voluntary group made up of lifelines organisations in the Auckland region. It is not a legal entity in itself but operates under the auspices of the Auckland Council, which administers funds and enters into contracts for services on behalf of the ALG.
Since 2004 the ALG has also been the coordinator for lifeline utilities for Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group planning. However the ALG itself does not take an operational role in an emergency[2]; its role is primarily focussed on risk reduction and readiness. The role of the ALG in CDEM Group planning is summarised in section 2.1.
The operation of the group is further described in the organisation’s charter, available at www.aelg.org.nz.
[1] Originally called the Auckland Engineering Lifelines Group (AELG)
[2] The CDEMG separately appoints a ‘Lifeline Utility Coordinator’ in the Auckland Group Emergency Operating Centre.
The operation of the group is further described in the organisation’s charter, available in the member's area.