Mount Isa Region Disaster Management Capability to be reviewed

Published Thursday, 26 July, 2018 at 06:10 PM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

A capability review will be undertaken in the Mount Isa Disaster District later this year as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to ensuring effective disaster management arrangements across Queensland.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford today (Thursday) announced the Mount Isa review would be conducted by the Office of the Inspector-General Emergency Management (IGEM).

Mr Crawford said the ability of local disaster management groups to meet future challenges - individually and collectively – would be measured against Queensland’s Standard for Disaster Management.

He said the review – to begin in November – would focus on the Mt Isa District Disaster Management Group and local disaster management groups in Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Doomagee, McKinlay, Mount Isa, and Mornington Island.

“Queensland is at the forefront of disaster management in Australia, however we must remain vigilant in reviewing and assessing arrangements across all facets of the disaster management system and ensure we seek to continually improve,” Mr Crawford said.

“Groups and agencies in the northern Queensland tend to be advanced and well positioned to provide effective disaster management to residents, however there are always facets which could be enhanced, and opportunities highlighted to share among local disaster management groups.

“This review will not make an assessment on past performance, but rather focus on strengths and development areas in the context of the anticipated future risk environment specifically within the Mount Isa disaster district.”

Mr Crawford said similar reviews had already been undertaken in the Townsville and Mackay regions, along with an initial pilot capability review in Warwick.

He said the previous reviews had proved highly beneficial for both groups and disaster management practitioners and expected similar outcomes through the Mount Isa Review.

“The Mount Isa review is part of a series of continuous improvement initiatives within the disaster management sphere in Queensland which aim to ensure the best possible arrangements are in place to meet future challenges,” Mr Crawford said.

“Districts and councils review their plans annually, as do all local groups, but there has not been an in-depth capability review done before of the Mount Isa region.

“Not only will this review provide more clarity to individual groups on their own strengths and weaknesses, importantly it will provide greater opportunities to share and leverage expertise and good practice across groups, from a district perspective.

“We already know groups in the north are generally strong and well-practiced when it comes to disaster management. This review will provide the foundation to take this expertise to the next level,” he said.

The review will be finalised following the 2018-19 wet season.

ENDS

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