Livingstone Shire spotlights bushfire preparedness with additional workshops and information nights on offer

Livingstone Shire locals will soon have another opportunity to be bushfire prepared thanks to an additional round of funding from the Federal and State governments under Round One of the Queensland Bushfires Category C Flexible Funding Grants Programme. 

Mayor Andy Ireland said the funding will continue to assist in driving recovery and building awareness following the volatile Cobraball bushfires and hardship faced by the community in 2019.  

“The Cobraball bushfires was probably the most extraordinary fire event ever seen in our region. Homes, farm sheds, and other structures were lost and over 11,000 hectares of land blackened," Mayor Ireland said. 

“The fire behaviour was erratic and intense, posing challenges for many crews on the ground. We saw fire behaviour we had not seen before.” 

Mayor Ireland said additional workshops and information nights have been scheduled in Yeppoon and Coowonga, to help mitigate bushfire risk and individuals safeguard their properties.  

“Council has partnered with Capricornia Catchments, Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and Fitzroy Basin Association to offer sessions in June and July. 

“Information and guidance will be given to landholders on creating property fire management plans which will help them improve their capacity and capability to respond to future disasters.” 

Bookings are essential and spaces are limited for the Yeppoon and Coowonga session, interested residents are encouraged to register by 23 June at http://livingstoneshire.eventbrite.com