‘Prepare, act, survive’ message delivered to Livingstone residents following spate of CQ Bushfires

Seven community led projects in Byfield, Cawarral, Joskeleigh, Keppel Sands, Marlborough, Mt Chalmers, and Ogmore have been delivered by Livingstone Shire Council and residents thanks to Federal and State government funding under the Central Queensland Bushfires – Category C Flexible Funding Grants Program (Round 2).

Portfolio Holder of Healthy and Inclusive Community, Councillor Pat Eastwood, said the purpose of the projects was to drive recovery, raise awareness, and build resilience across vulnerable communities following the spate of bushfires towards the end of 2019.

“Their location, distance from services, and disaster risk factors were considered when selecting recipients of the funding,” Cr Eastwood said.

“Before designing and implementing the small scale community projects, Council spoke with members from each community to identify their key priority areas.

“They needed to be effective and relevant to each community and the residents that live and visit there,” he said.

Bushfire management planning, the delivery of the ‘prepare, act, survive’ message, weed management to reduce hazards, introduction to psychological first aid, accessing Council’s disaster dashboard, and emergency kits were some of the components distributed under each project.

“Each community also identified its ‘community connection’ place and minor upgrades were made to these areas,” Cr Eastwood said.

“Byfield’s Byfield Hall is more welcoming thanks to a working bee and the installation of new basketball hoops.

“Cawarral’s Palm Creek Reserve saw the removal of rubbish, graffiti, tree-limbs, upkeep of the undercover area, and installation of a new water-tank.

“Joskeleigh received improvements to the Joskeleigh South Sea Islander Museum with additional signage and fitting of a community noticeboard.

“Keppel Sand’s Musa Heads walking track can now be used by more people thanks to the addition of a new hand rail and replacement of broken steps.

“Picnic tables were installed at Mt Chalmer’s Oval, a barbecue at Ogmore’s Bicentennial Park and new basketball hoops at Marlborough Park.”

Cr Eastwood said small but significant improvements to key meeting areas make them more inviting and help bring a community together, particularly in times of disaster.

The Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grants are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).