At the scene where bushfires raged five years ago, Sunshine Coast and Noosa Councils gathered with emergency services agencies on Thursday 10 October to highlight the reality that disaster can strike without warning.
The Peregian Beach bushfires were a stark example of this and a poignant location for the launch of this year’s Get Ready Queensland Week (October 8-13).
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said Get Ready Week was part of a vital campaign to help ensure residents and visitors were prepared for everything Mother Nature could throw at us.
Mayor Wilkie said it was a matter of when, not if, our region would face severe weather and we all had a role to play in keeping people and property safe.
“Severe bushfires and major floods have struck the Noosa Shire and Sunshine Coast over the past five years, forcing thousands of people to evacuate from their homes,’’ he said.
“These events isolate communities and cause millions of dollars in damage to roads, businesses and infrastructure across both local government areas.
“We can’t control the weather or when the next disaster strikes but we can prepare ourselves by understanding how a natural disaster might affect where we live, preparing an emergency plan for our homes and packing an emergency kit.
“Both Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils are leaving no stone unturned to ensure we are ready to respond individually and collectively for the safety of all our local communities.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said disaster management was a shared responsibility across the Sunshine Coast region between both councils.
“It is through strong council partnerships that we best prepare for, and respond to, emergencies,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Councils also play a critical role in helping communities fight back after a disaster.
“During the Peregian Beach fires we saw how imperative it was for both councils to work as a united front, quickly and seamlessly.
“Together, along with the unwavering spirit of our first responders, volunteers and emergency services, it showed that we stand ready to face any disaster.”
With summer arriving and Christmas seeing a spike in pet ownership, Queenslanders are also being reminded about the risks that disaster events and severe heat pose to animals.
RSPCA Queensland and Get Ready Queensland have joined forces for the Pet Ready campaign to promote greater pet safety during extreme weather.
Pet owners are encouraged to visit getready.qld.gov.au/plan and download the RSPCA/Get Ready Queensland Pet Severe Weather Emergency Plan.
“Extreme weather impacts everyone, including all creatures great and small, and through this partnership we want to see more pet owners prepared and pets kept safe,” says Emma Lagoon, RSPCA Qld spokesperson.
“Unfortunately many people are unsure what to do with their pets in times of disaster. The work we’re doing with Get Ready Queensland is looking to change that for the better.
“Having an emergency plan that includes your animals is still quite new to most pet owners we’ve spoken to, but our Pet Severe Weather Emergency Plan makes it easier for people to take action.
“Put a plan in place early so you don’t get caught out and speak with friends and family to have a back-up plan if you need to get your animals to safety.”
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning the region is facing a warmer than average Spring with the potential for more severe storm systems as we enter the summer months. Meanwhile, Queensland Fire and Rescue is warning south-east Queensland is at a higher risk of grassfires during the Spring/Summer period.
Sunshine Coast and Noosa residents are urged to take the following simple steps to boost resilience and safeguard themselves, their families, homes and businesses:
Step one: Understand your risk.
Step two: Prepare a household emergency plan.
Step three: Pack an emergency kit.
For a full list head to getready.qld.gov.au.
For the latest updates, practical resources and what to do before, during and after a disaster strikes, visit disasterhub.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au (Sunshine Coast region) and disaster.noosa.qld.gov.au (Noosa Shire).
Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council disaster management groups will join police, fire ambulance, SES and other emergency service agencies on 20 November in a joint real-time disaster exercise.
