40 local councils involved in Queensland Disaster Management Committee talks

Forty local councils from across the State are part of the Queensland Disaster Management Committee meeting, chaired by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, to discuss the response and preparations from ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie. 

Speaking from Townsville after visiting Bowen and Proserpine, the Premier said the number of local councils invited to the QDMC highlighted the extent of the Debbie’s damage and potential impact. 

“Thirty-five of those local government areas are currently drought declared and have been desperate for rain. They deserve the rain without this pain,” she said. 

The Premier said local government was a critical partner in disaster management in Queensland. 

“Councils are best placed to provide first-hand information and the role of the Local Disaster Management Groups are essential to managing disasters,” she said. 

The councils invited to join the QDMC were:

Balonne, Banana, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary, Central Highlands, Charters Towers, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondwindi, Gympie, Hinchinbrook, Ipswich, Isaac, Livingstone, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Maranoa, Mareeba, Moreton, Noosa, North Burnett, Palm Island, Redland, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Tablelands, Toowoomba, Townsville, Western Downs, Whitsunday and Woorabinda. 

Emergency information 

For storm and flood assistance contact the SES on 132 500 and in a life threatening emergency call Triple Zero. 

Donations 

The Premier encouraged anyone wanting to help their fellow Queenslanders to make a donation directly with a respected charity:

• Australian Red Cross Society —1800 811 700 redcross.org.au
• The Salvation Army — 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) salvos.org.au/
• St Vincent de Paul Society of Queensland — 3010 1002 vinnies.org.au/donate
• UnitingCare Community — 1800 001 953 uccommunity.org.au/disaster-relief 

“These charities are trained to respond to the needs of communities hit by natural disasters and can provide food, equipment, shelter, and other support,” she said.

Goods and services can also be donated to GIVIT through their website www.givit.org.au

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791