Disaster management plan approved as Jasper anniversary blows in

While work on updating the existing plan has been ongoing as the council managed the recovery process for Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent flooding, including a more than $37 million spend of Queensland Disaster Relief Funds through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for works, “minor errors” in the plan needed to be addressed.

Reviewed by the Local Disaster Coordinator, Paul Hoye, it also needed to have added context in relation to key assets and the recovery from Cyclone Jasper and the associated flooding and to reflect the new Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, Mayor Lisa Scomazzon.

Councillor Damian Meadows paid tribute to the work of Mr Hoye in moving the motion to accept the plan.

“The experience that Paul has in this space is second to none in Far North Queensland and I have heard many people from other shires who have spoken about Paul’s experience,’’ Cr Meadows said.

“That has been put into this paper and will be put into practice, so thanks very much Paul for your efforts.’’

Councillor Michael Rees called those from council on the Local Disaster Management Group, the “golden trifecta”.

“Given Paul Hoye’s experience, we have the golden trifecta. Mayor Scomazzon is part of the committee, a life-long resident and of course Councillor Meadows, ex-police sergeant with 30 years experience.’’

“The community is really listening this year so this has been compelled this year… people are asking ‘when’s the green waste going to happen? Where do I get a sand bag, where do I go?’ Cr Rees said.

“It is really nice to see the community engaging through the community awareness program Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late and that it is actually working.’’

The LDMP will be available on Council's Dashboard and website along with information on preparing for disasters, understanding warnings and links to important sites such as the Bureau of Meteorology.