Council pushes for proactive measures for local disaster management

Published on 24 November 2015

Regional issues have been pushed on to the State agenda after a number of motions were put forward by Rockhampton Regional Council at the recent Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) Conference.

Chair of Council’s Local Disaster Management Group Cr Tony Williams attended the State Conference on behalf of Council late last month, and brought to the table key priorities surrounding local disaster management.

The conference, which is held annually, provides an opportunity for councils around the State to discuss community issues and study, debate and vote on new policies.

Cr Williams said Rockhampton Regional Council put forward three motions for State lobbying, each focused on improving future disaster management. 

“These are bread and butter issues for all communities,” Cr Williams said.

“We want to look at outcomes that allow councils to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to natural disasters.”

The motions presented by Council include:

• Assist Councils and their State Emergency Service units in having timely access to calls for assistance from the community;
• Provide local governments that have been affected by a natural disaster the opportunity to use their own resources to repair their essential public assets; and
• Financial support to local governments for property purchase or house raising schemes for properties continually impacted by flooding or other natural disasters to assist their respective communities.

Each motion was endorsed and carried by the conference and will now be pursued with the State Government by the LGAQ.