Coastal suburbs across Moreton Bay are receiving council help in drawing up plans to cope with the increasing costs of natural disasters.
Community groups in Scarborough, Donnybrook and Dohles Rocks have drawn up a Local Resilience Plan (LRP) to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
Moreton Bay City Council says coastal disasters now cost them $42 million a year in terms of damage to buildings, facilities, roads, natural attractions and more; this bill could reach $468 million by the year 2100 if no action is taken, it says.
The LRPs identify what action is needed to reduce the threat of natural disasters and rising sea levels, and improve protective measures, from flood-proofing homes to improving emergency responses.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says council has to work closely with coastal suburbs to help them adapt to, and recover from, natural disasters.
“Moreton Bay’s coastal location makes it vulnerable to climate-related hazards like sea level rise, storm surge and flooding but … the community is taking action,” he says.
“Council and the community are working together to address the impacts of projected sea level rises to 2050 and 2100, ensuring decisions reflect local knowledge and lived experience.”
Flannery says the LRPs allow communities to help identify priority infrastructure needs that will ensure needed funding comes their way.
“It’s rewarding to see coastal communities like those at Scarborough, Donnybrook and Dohles Rocks finalising their resilience plans with more communities are getting on board,” he says.
Council is also talking to residents in Beachmere and Toorbul about their LRPs as it targets suburbs at the greatest risk of tidal flooding.
WEEK FOR COASTAL PREPARATIONS
As of Monday, October 6, council is taking part in Get Ready Week, an annual statewide call to prepare for extreme weather and disasters.
Until this Sunday (October 12), councils and organisations will carry out activities that range from community expos, school workshops and emergency services displays to local media campaigns, markets and giveaways.
Council will host a Emergency Service Expo will be held at Bribie Island this Sunday from 9am to 1pm.
Flannery says planning and preparation is the key to managing disasters.
“We often say ‘prepare for the worst and hope for the best’. That is the mindset our communities need to have as the weather events become more unpredictable,” he says.
“I’d also encourage (residents) to speak with their neighbours (to) make sure they understand the risks so they can protect their family and property.
“Most importantly, residents should refer to (council’s digital) Disaster Dashboard for local updates on severe weather, road closures, power outages, evacuation centres and more, as well as sign up to MoretonAlert, a free SMS, email and voice alert system.”
For details on how to prepare, click here to go to the council website page.
