Published Friday, 08 December, 2006 at 02:11 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER ANNOUNCES NEW MEASURES TO HELP PREPARE FOR CYCLONES
As a result of two days intense discussion Queensland is now better prepared to deal with cyclones in the future Premier Peter Beattie said when he unveiled a range of new initiatives at the 2006 Cyclones Summit Living with cyclones – Queensland prepared in Cairns today.
Mr Beattie congratulated more than 200 delegates and 30 presenters for their contribution to the success of the Cyclone Summit.
“As we have heard from experts, Queensland can expect to be hit frequently by stronger cyclones in the future,” Mr Beattie said.
“So we have to make sure we are as well prepared as possible. The package of initiatives I am announcing today is designed to help ensure the cyclone prone parts of Queensland take every measure possible to prepare for the cyclone season.”
Mr Beattie said the Government would immediately roll out a new cyclone preparedness campaign that would deliver a 16 page booklet to about half a million homes in cyclone prone areas from Cape York to Fraser Island.
“The $115,000 initiative will ensure households have the most up-to-date and best advice available on how to prepare for a cyclone,” Mr Beattie said.
“The cyclone preparedness booklet is now available to all Queenslanders by logging on to www.emergency.qld.gov.au
“With the impact of climate change, this booklet may well be distributed to all Queenslanders in the future.”
Other key initiatives announced by the Premier at the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with cyclones – Queensland prepared that he hosted in Cairns this week included:
• a three month investigation into a mass alert system using mobile phones and emails; and
• a yearly cyclone preparedness summit for state and local government disaster groups, mayors and key community leaders.
Mr Beattie said the Government would immediately begin investigations into the feasibility of establishing an opt-in mass alert system to alert the public to potential disasters such as cyclones.
“An opt-in mass alert system would allow emergency authorities to send timely warnings and update information for people who are immediately under threat from a cyclone,” Mr Beattie said.
“The team to be set up within the Department of Emergency Services to report back to the Minister within three months on the feasibility of establishing a communication system to quickly alert people of approaching danger,” Mr Beattie said.
“The team will particularly look at a system where members of the public can register for SMS and email alerts about approaching natural and other disasters. This would be an interim system pending the introduction of a nationally integrated community information and warning system currently being worked on.”
Mr Beattie said the Government would immediately begin consulting with local governments on the best way to arrange a regional cyclone preparedness summit prior to the cyclone season.
“The proposed summit will further strengthen the excellent working relationship between the State and local governments in preparing for the cyclone season,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the community education and awareness campaign announced today was part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to cyclone prone communities under the ‘Safeguarding Cyclone Communities’ election commitment.
“The campaign aims to keep families safe and to minimise damage to property,” Mr Beattie said.
“While cyclones are part of life in Queensland, many people, including new residents, don’t realise there is much they can do to minimise the effect of a cyclone.
“This preparedness campaign we are launching today will give people information that will help them survive a cyclone. This new 16-page booklet provides essential information on how to prepare your home, what to put in emergency and evacuation kits, and evacuation advice.
“One of the key messages that we want people to take from this brochure is that preparation does make a difference. Now is the time for people to prepare an emergency and evacuation kit, prepare property and make evacuation plans,” Mr Beattie said.”
The cyclone awareness initiative is being supported by a media campaign.
Mr Beattie said the Government had also developed a new mental health program aimed at helping far northern communities prepare psychologically for a cyclone.
“The new program - Be Cyclone Prepared: A management Action Plan – will soon be rolled out in Innisfail and the southern Tablelands. The package can be used as a tool for training and preparing residents to cope with natural disasters.” Mr Beattie said.
Further cyclone education and awareness initiatives are being developed in consultation with local governments.
Media Inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
8 December 2006
More detailed information on the outcomes of the Cyclone Summit is available on the Premier’s website at http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/news/initiatives/cyclonesummit/index.shtm
Mr Beattie congratulated more than 200 delegates and 30 presenters for their contribution to the success of the Cyclone Summit.
“As we have heard from experts, Queensland can expect to be hit frequently by stronger cyclones in the future,” Mr Beattie said.
“So we have to make sure we are as well prepared as possible. The package of initiatives I am announcing today is designed to help ensure the cyclone prone parts of Queensland take every measure possible to prepare for the cyclone season.”
Mr Beattie said the Government would immediately roll out a new cyclone preparedness campaign that would deliver a 16 page booklet to about half a million homes in cyclone prone areas from Cape York to Fraser Island.
“The $115,000 initiative will ensure households have the most up-to-date and best advice available on how to prepare for a cyclone,” Mr Beattie said.
“The cyclone preparedness booklet is now available to all Queenslanders by logging on to www.emergency.qld.gov.au
“With the impact of climate change, this booklet may well be distributed to all Queenslanders in the future.”
Other key initiatives announced by the Premier at the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with cyclones – Queensland prepared that he hosted in Cairns this week included:
• a three month investigation into a mass alert system using mobile phones and emails; and
• a yearly cyclone preparedness summit for state and local government disaster groups, mayors and key community leaders.
Mr Beattie said the Government would immediately begin investigations into the feasibility of establishing an opt-in mass alert system to alert the public to potential disasters such as cyclones.
“An opt-in mass alert system would allow emergency authorities to send timely warnings and update information for people who are immediately under threat from a cyclone,” Mr Beattie said.
“The team to be set up within the Department of Emergency Services to report back to the Minister within three months on the feasibility of establishing a communication system to quickly alert people of approaching danger,” Mr Beattie said.
“The team will particularly look at a system where members of the public can register for SMS and email alerts about approaching natural and other disasters. This would be an interim system pending the introduction of a nationally integrated community information and warning system currently being worked on.”
Mr Beattie said the Government would immediately begin consulting with local governments on the best way to arrange a regional cyclone preparedness summit prior to the cyclone season.
“The proposed summit will further strengthen the excellent working relationship between the State and local governments in preparing for the cyclone season,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the community education and awareness campaign announced today was part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to cyclone prone communities under the ‘Safeguarding Cyclone Communities’ election commitment.
“The campaign aims to keep families safe and to minimise damage to property,” Mr Beattie said.
“While cyclones are part of life in Queensland, many people, including new residents, don’t realise there is much they can do to minimise the effect of a cyclone.
“This preparedness campaign we are launching today will give people information that will help them survive a cyclone. This new 16-page booklet provides essential information on how to prepare your home, what to put in emergency and evacuation kits, and evacuation advice.
“One of the key messages that we want people to take from this brochure is that preparation does make a difference. Now is the time for people to prepare an emergency and evacuation kit, prepare property and make evacuation plans,” Mr Beattie said.”
The cyclone awareness initiative is being supported by a media campaign.
Mr Beattie said the Government had also developed a new mental health program aimed at helping far northern communities prepare psychologically for a cyclone.
“The new program - Be Cyclone Prepared: A management Action Plan – will soon be rolled out in Innisfail and the southern Tablelands. The package can be used as a tool for training and preparing residents to cope with natural disasters.” Mr Beattie said.
Further cyclone education and awareness initiatives are being developed in consultation with local governments.
Media Inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
8 December 2006
More detailed information on the outcomes of the Cyclone Summit is available on the Premier’s website at http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/news/initiatives/cyclonesummit/index.shtm