Crisis Communications Handbook for Regional ... - Tourism Victoria

Week Two
Weather conditions are mild and sunny and the bloom has spread rapidly (it is suspected because of the
high-level input of nutrients during the flood) and now spreads from Wattle Point in the west to Lakes
Entrance in the east.
This represents one of the most severe and widespread blue green algae outbreaks experienced in the
Gippsland Lakes. DHS extends its bans on the harvest and consumption of mussels and prawns to several
areas as well as 10km out to sea from Lakes Entrance.
Local media is careful not to over-dramatise the situation and reports responsibly on which areas have been
affected and the early impacts on local businesses, as well as highlighting the safety of other recreational activities
in the region.
The metropolitan media pick up the story and unfortunately concentrate on the negatives with television news
using archival footage to illustrate a bloom in the area and the newspapers running articles headlined: ‘An
environmental catastrophe’ and ‘Lakes choking to death’.
Tourist operators and accommodation providers start to report widespread cancellation of bookings.
Response
The TRRG is meeting three times a week to actively address the negative impacts of the worsening situation
caused by both the algal bloom and media coverage.
Unlike many disasters or incidents that might occur in an instant – leaving a region’s tourism sector coping with
the consequences - a blue green algal bloom normally presents an evolving issue, the ongoing nature of which
will frustrate efforts to move on into a recovery phase.
As a result, the TRRG’s initial focus is placed on ensuring visitors are kept safe and that they, along with
potential visitors, are aware that the region remains ‘open for business’ with a range of recreational opportunities
still available.
The TRRG also coordinates the dissemination of up-to-date information to key stakeholders to ensure that
they are aware of the unfolding situation.
Ongoing actions of the TRRG include:
• The faxing of an Urgent Information Request to all tourism operators and accommodation providers in
the region to assess impacts
• Daily contact with the Incident Control Team for latest details, including the expected extent and duration
of the bloom
• The faxing of regular internal updates (as required) on the situation to all tourism operators and
accommodation providers in the region
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK FOR REGIONAL AND LOCAL TOURISM 57