December 10, 2013
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio is encouraging people right across the region to take some simple steps to get ready for the upcoming storm and flood season.
Cr Antonio said having an emergency pack set aside that includes torches, spare batteries, an emergency radio, canned food, UHT milk and bottled water can reduce stress and panic if disaster strikes.
“Also it’s a good idea to store personal vital documents such as birth certificates, passports and insurance documents and any medications and prescriptions in an easily accessible location if you need to evacuate in a hurry,” Cr Antonio said.
Cr Antonio said the council was also identifying risks within local communities and trying to anticipate what could happen in the local area.
“We all have a role to play in ensuring that we are prepared for whatever nature throws at us,” Cr Antonio said.
“A few years ago when we were in the grip of drought, people might have laughed at the idea of having a kit available or doing the necessary clean-up around the home,” he said. “But now we are all very much aware of how quickly the situation can change when a storm hits.”
Cr Antonio said Council had accessed $63,000 in funding under the State Government’s four-year strategy “Get Ready Queensland”.
“This program aims to make this Queensland as Australia’s most disaster resilient State – year round and against any hazard,” he said. “Here in Toowoomba we identified a number of projects that can make us better prepared.”
The projects included:
- The purchase of 5000 Australian Red Cross – RediPLAN booklets to improve the level of household planning and preparation for disaster response and recovery. Cost $10,500.
- The purchase and installation (after consultation of the Rural Fire Service Queensland and the Department of Transport and Main Roads) of an extra seven 22,550 litre concrete water tanks to be placed at strategic locations in the northern part of the region to enhance future emergency fire-fighting operations. Cost: $33,600.
- The purchase of a mobile two-way radio ‘grab pack,’ that may be transported to a remote location, by the Local Disaster Coordination Team, to ensure the enhancement of local communications during an emergency. Cost: $2000.
- The purchase of a two-way radio, to be placed within the Rural Fire Service Queensland, South West Region 4WD Communications vehicle, for use throughout the region during emergency operations. Cost: $2000.
“These funds had to be targeted at activities that make a demonstrable difference to resilience within our communities,” Cr Antonio said.
“Council supplied a short-list of ideas and the State Government assessed these against their criteria. The funding will make a real difference to these communities.”
“Council is also looking at other applications under this State Government scheme to fund larger projects which will also build resilience.”
