It’s time to Get Ready, Livingstone Shire!
Back
Livingstone Shire Council residents are being urged to prepare for extreme weather as part of Get Ready Queensland Week 2024.
Happening right now, 8-12 October, Get Ready Queensland Week is a time for Queenslanders to take steps to prepare their family and property against disaster events.
Get Ready Queensland is a year-round, all hazards, resilience building initiative of the Queensland Government.
Council recently displayed its newest billboard which can be seen on Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road, featuring an important message which reads, “The real disaster is not being prepared. What’s your emergency plan?”
Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Adam Belot, said Council wanted to ensure the community was prepared as storm, cyclone, and bushfire season quickly approaches.
“Get Ready Week plays an important role in prompting the community of the potential hazards and dangers during bushfire, storm and cyclone season,” Mayor Belot said.
“Regardless of where you live or how long you’ve lived there, it’s important that every resident in Livingstone Shire understands their risk, makes a household emergency plan, and packs an emergency kit.
“With increased rainfall this year and drier conditions already sparking several bushfires across the State, it’s important to understand what our role is and how that affects each community member’s role during a disaster.”
Since 2011, our state has experienced 119 natural disasters, and the 2023-24 disaster season brought with it a record 13 disaster events.
Last year’s massive disaster season affected 66 of Queensland’s 77 local government areas.
“Disasters including flooding, tropical cyclones and bushfires are an annual occurrence in Livingstone Shire, and it’s essential that residents understand the risks in order to take the necessary steps to reduce the impact of a natural disaster on their wellbeing, home, family, finances, and business,” Mayor Belot added.
“Council’s Disaster Management Team has hosted over 20 community workshops and engagement events throughout the Shire over the past year, including local agricultural shows, school tours of The Hub, as well as the annual inter-agency activation exercise.”
“Residents can also undertake a preparedness check at https://beprepared.livingstone.qld.gov.au/ and produce a plan for their specific individual circumstances.”
To encourage the participation of younger residents, a colouring competition will be held throughout Get Ready Queensland Week with a ‘Grab n Go’ mini emergency kit to be won!
Details on how to take part will be available on Council’s Facebook page and website.
Get Ready Queensland also has available a wide range of information, resources, and tips that residents can utilise for their disaster planning.
For more info visit www.getready.qld.gov.au or https://disaster.livingstone.qld.gov.au/
Some of the key action’s residents can do to prepare now include:
• Understand your risk – impacts from extreme weather are different for everyone. Learn about what can happen where you live and how it could affect your family.
• Make a plan – make a household emergency plan so your family knows what to do and who to contact in extreme weather. It only takes a few minutes and will give you peace of mind that your information is in one place.
• Pack a kit – grab a few extra items next time you are at the supermarket to make an emergency kit.
• You can make a severe weather emergency plan today at www.getready.qld.gov.au/plan