Published Friday, 01 February, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Disaster response to be strengthened through local government reform
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt has praised the response of councils and emergency services during the Queensland floods, saying that the new local government regions to be finalised after the March 15 elections would provide even more support.
“These floods have had a devastating effect on Queensland and I am proud of our emergency response and the way that communities have banded together to assist,” Mr Pitt said.
“The local government reform process will allow councils to provide even greater assistance when these situations occur in future, with the ability to draw on resources from a wider region.
“Councils will also be operating from a much stronger financial position after the amalgamations, giving them greater capacity to assist in disaster recovery.”
“We will continue to rely on the support of local SES groups who are based in numerous towns across Queensland, and play such a vital role.
“In these floods, the SES has marshaled many of its 6430 members to provide various essential services such as sandbagging and support and I would like to praise the efforts of these tireless volunteers.
“There have been concerns amalgamations may weaken SES groups but these allegations are unfounded.
“SES volunteers have, and will continue to play, a crucial role in any disaster, and this will remain unchanged. In fact, the reform process has provided a chance for us to review emergency arrangements and how these can be improved.
“We are currently working on new legislation that will guide disaster planning for our new councils.
“Helping us through this process is the Department of Emergency Services, and together we will ensure that our disaster response is fully planned to ensure that communities, councils and the Queensland Government are prepared for any eventuality.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
“These floods have had a devastating effect on Queensland and I am proud of our emergency response and the way that communities have banded together to assist,” Mr Pitt said.
“The local government reform process will allow councils to provide even greater assistance when these situations occur in future, with the ability to draw on resources from a wider region.
“Councils will also be operating from a much stronger financial position after the amalgamations, giving them greater capacity to assist in disaster recovery.”
“We will continue to rely on the support of local SES groups who are based in numerous towns across Queensland, and play such a vital role.
“In these floods, the SES has marshaled many of its 6430 members to provide various essential services such as sandbagging and support and I would like to praise the efforts of these tireless volunteers.
“There have been concerns amalgamations may weaken SES groups but these allegations are unfounded.
“SES volunteers have, and will continue to play, a crucial role in any disaster, and this will remain unchanged. In fact, the reform process has provided a chance for us to review emergency arrangements and how these can be improved.
“We are currently working on new legislation that will guide disaster planning for our new councils.
“Helping us through this process is the Department of Emergency Services, and together we will ensure that our disaster response is fully planned to ensure that communities, councils and the Queensland Government are prepared for any eventuality.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819