Yvette D’Ath and Chris Whiting have said that the people of Redcliffe and Murrumba will be better prepared for natural disasters with regional councils receiving a share of grants, totalling more than $2 million, as part of the RACQ Get Ready Queensland program.
Member for Redcliffe, Yvette D’Ath MP said the grants are vital in helping councils create greater awareness about natural disasters and how residents can become more resilient.
“Severe weather is a fact of life in Queensland and education is the key to getting ready for whatever comes our way. Extreme weather doesn’t just mean cyclones, floods and storms, we also face droughts and heat waves,” Ms D’Ath said.
Member for Murrumba, Chris Whiting MP said the grants will assist with activities such as school emergency awareness, clean-up days, information stalls in shopping centres, disaster preparedness kits and the purchase of emergency equipment.
“Queensland has to deal with its fair share of natural disasters and a cyclone or storm can leave families for days with no electricity or running water, so we want to make sure our community is prepared,” Mr Whiting said.
“This year Moreton Bay Regional Council will receive $133,000 in Get Ready funding. Our region faces its own unique challenges during a natural disaster. That’s why council staff on the ground tailor the strategy to meet the specific needs of our community.
“It’s about asking yourself, ‘what’s your plan?’ We want people to prepare for an emergency which can include simple things like cleaning up around the house if we know severe weather is on the way.”
The RACQ Get Ready Queensland campaign is a year-round, all-hazards disaster preparedness and resilience building program with each of the 77 Councils as well as the Weipa Town Authority receiving grants totalling $2.1 million.
Councils are encouraged to focus on activities that promote community connectedness, understanding of natural disaster risks and vulnerability, planning and preparation for disasters and knowledge of what local resources are available to them.
RACQ Get Ready Week runs from 10 – 16 October, 2016.
For more information contact your local council or go to: www.getready.qld.gov.au
Image credit: Cameron Hines. To view more amazing storm images, please visit http://www.jodiemphotography.com/
