8. Recovery 8.1 Introduction Recovery is defined in the CDEM Act 2002 as: ‘the coordinated efforts and processes used to bring about the immediate, medium-term and long-term holistic regeneration and enhancement of a community following an emergency’. It is the process of re-establishing the quality of life of an affected community after an emergency, while taking opportunities to meet future community needs and reduce future exposure to hazards and risks. Local authorities have legislative obligations to safeguard community well-being before, during and after an emergency. In a large-scale emergency where central government is funding the recovery (or part of the recovery) central government may establish a National Recovery Office. Recovery is guided by the CDEM Act 2002 and by guidance issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM). In particular, section 19(2) of the CDEM Amendment Act 2016 requires that the CDEM Group Plan must state and provide for ‘the strategic planning for recovery from the hazards and risks referred to in section 49(2)(b)’. The hazards and risks for Marlborough are referred to on pages x and x of this plan. Recovery starts at the beginning of an emergency and can continue for up to 10 years, depending on the nature and scale of the event. Recovery addresses the economic, social, natural and built environment effects of an emergency. Strategic planning for recovery offers the opportunity for Marlborough communities to identify, at a strategic level, the priorities that need to be incorporated into recovery from a range of events. Because emergencies differ in their nature and impact the Marlborough CDEM Group has taken a strategic approach, setting the basis to work with communities when emergency events occur. Strategic recovery planning recognises that the response to an individual emergency will reflect the nature and impact of that event. Marlborough communities can contribute to recovery planning by increasing understanding of their priorities and values, before an emergency occurs. This updated section of the Marlborough CDEM Group Plan sets out guiding principles for recovery and outlines the processes through which the Group will work with Marlborough communities to increase our understanding of their priorities for recovery from an emergency. 8.2 Strategic recovery planning Strategic planning aims to ensure that the efforts of all parties engaged in recovery are coordinated in the most effective and efficient way possible, to meet the priorities of affected communities. The aims of strategic recovery planning are to: • Encourage and support effective planning for recovery. • Identify recovery priorities for Marlborough. • Encourage communities to increase resilience by planning for recovery from identified hazards • Define agencies’ roles and responsibilities and their relationship to the CEG and other governance mechanisms in recovery. • Maintain transparency and accountability in recovery This section of the Marlborough CDEM Group Plan does not replace the need for recovery planning for individual events. Marlborough Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, 2017-2022 Page 59