Raising an Army

Queensland councils will be given assistance to marshall volunteers in the massive clean up tasks in the wake of the 2013 floods.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President Margaret de Wit said councils would be given information about topics such as hazardous waste removal and insurance to assist them to form their own versions of the legendary mud army.

“Mayors and councils have led the charge to protect their communities and will now use local knowhow to organise the clean-up,” Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said.

“It may be that in some communities this work will occur without the need for a day to rally volunteers but if we can assist those places that will organise volunteers, we’re just trying to make it a more straightforward process.

“Councils know best when it comes to what is right for flood ravaged communities, and we want to give them the information they need to achieve it.”

Cr de Wit said all hands would be on deck to give Queensland councils whatever help they needed.

“The situation is critical for some of our smaller regional councils and LGAQ will do whatever we can to provide help at every level, including advising on volunteer and clean-up event insurance.”

Caltex Australia has donated $75,000 worth of fuel vouchers for registered volunteers who use their own vehicles in the clean-up, which the LGAQ will co-ordinate.

All information is available at www.dlg.qld.gov.au/councils-and-volunteers.

[ENDS] 2 February 2013

Media Contacts:        Monica Rostron 0409 126 332