Damage, Debris, and Disaster

As Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji Makes Landfall

On Saturday, the 10th of January the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group issued a TAKE SHELTER NOW warning.

"Tropical Cyclone Koji is approaching the coast with the Whitsunday Region in the warning zone. Destructive wind gusts up to 130km/h, heavy to locally intense rainfall, and dangerous flash flooding are possible," said a Whitsunday Disaster Management Group spokesperson.

Whilst the system was downgraded Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said it is critical to never underestimate weather systems, but it’s just as important to stay calm and informed.

"Conditions can change quickly, and even downgraded systems can still bring heavy rainfall, flooding and damaging impacts," said Mayor Collins.

"Council plans conservatively and focuses on clear, measured communication so the community can prepare without panic because being informed and ready is always better than being caught off guard."

The Whitsundays Region experienced localised flooding, minor damage to council assets including fallen trees, debris and park infrastructure.

Mayor Ry Collins said there was no major damage widespread damage and he said this is thanks to early preparation, fast response and strong community cooperation.

"Council began preparations early, activating the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group and moving to Stand Up to coordinate planning and response," he said.

"A key focus was ensuring our community was informed, prepared and not alarmed, with clear messaging throughout the event. Crews secured assets, cleared drainage where possible, staged equipment and ensured the Local Disaster Coordination Centre was fully operational. That early, measured approach made a real difference and helped keep impacts manageable."

Communication was also a priority for the Whitsunday Disaster Management Group.

"The Whitsunday Disaster Dashboard [was] used as the primary source of truth for the community. This was supported through the Local Disaster Management Group, chaired by the Mayor, along with direct SMS alerts to residents, Council social media, website updates, media alerts and engagement through our disaster networks.

"All messaging was aligned with Bureau of Meteorology advice and updated as conditions changed, ensuring residents had reliable, consistent and trusted information throughout the event.

"I also want to sincerely thank our emergency services, first responders, SES, Council crews and partner agencies for their tireless work which played a key role in keeping impacts manageable across the Whitsundays."

Clean Up
Council crews are continuing clean-up efforts across the region following the recent severe weather, with teams focusing on public parks, beaches, roadsides and other Council-managed land.

Parks and works staff have been removing fallen trees, branches and storm debris from public areas to restore access and ensure safety for residents and visitors. Council has acknowledged some community confusion around the activity and has clarified that while crews are active in public spaces, residential green waste collections from private properties or nature strips are not being undertaken at this time.

To assist households with their own clean-up, Council is offering free green waste disposal at its waste facilities. Residents are encouraged to safely manage and transport their own green waste to these sites while recovery works continue.

Council has also advised that processing of green waste will take place at the Cannonvale Transfer Station from Wednesday, January 14. The required machinery will be operating on site during normal opening hours, and visitors are asked to be patient and follow the directions of site operators while works are underway.

Council thanked residents for their patience and cooperation as crews prioritise safety, the repair of damaged public assets and the reopening of key access points across the region.

Business As Usual
Whitsunday businesses thankfully face minimal damage during Ex-Tropical Cyclone and Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry want to hear about your impact.

With a short survey, Chamber will capture the effects of the cyclone on business operations, revenue, staffing, and recovery outlook. The insights gathered will be used to inform advocacy efforts, support requests, and discussions around recovery measures and future preparedness.

All responses are confidential and reported in aggregate only.

Take a few minutes to complete the survey by Friday 30 January and help advocate effectively on behalf of the Whitsundays business community. Contact Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry for more information.

Recovery
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins says ongoing recovery efforts remain the top priority following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, as Council continues to assess damage across the region and work with the State Government to secure the support needed moving forward.

Mayor Collins said Council teams are currently focused on clean-up works, repairing damaged assets and ensuring recovery assistance is available where it is needed most.

On Monday, the 12th of January Queensland Premier David Crisafulli visited the region and provided an important opportunity to highlight local impacts firsthand and discuss recovery needs directly.

“Today’s visit by QLD Premier David Crisafulli gave us the opportunity to walk through local impacts firsthand, talk directly about recovery needs, and ensure the right support is in place for the Whitsundays moving forward," he said.

Mayor Collins said communication between Council and the State Government was consistent and collaborative both in the lead-up to the weather event and throughout Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.

“There was regular, open communication throughout the event,” he said.

"Council provided situation updates, preparedness actions and emerging impacts through district disaster briefings, while also participating in State Disaster Coordination Centre briefings."

He said the State Government provided guidance, coordination support and reassurance that assistance would be available if required, allowing Council to focus on local response efforts.

"I’ve officially decreed that we’ve had enough weather events for the season but jokes aside, the message is still to stay prepared. Know your risk, have a household plan, prepare an emergency kit, secure loose items around your property and stay informed through official channels."

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