Friday, July 11, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Minute With The Mayor 11 July

Staying prepared — together

One of the most important responsibilities I hold as Mayor is chairing our Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG).

While it might not always make front-page news, this work is critical to the safety and resilience of our Whitsunday region’s communities.

This month, our LDMG met once again as part of our ongoing commitment to disaster preparedness. The group isn’t just made up of Council staff and brings together a diverse and dedicated team including our emergency services, SES volunteers, Queensland Police, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, power and water utilities, port and road infrastructure providers, and community support organisations like the Red Cross.

We meet monthly, even outside of disaster season, because being prepared is not something we do only when the skies start to darken. It’s about ongoing collaboration, planning, and learning from past events so we can respond quickly and effectively when needed.

Whether it’s a cyclone, flood, bushfire, or another unexpected event, our shared goal is to ensure our community is as ready as possible. This means having clear communication plans, up-to-date evacuation strategies, and strong support networks in place  long before an emergency strikes.

Our region is no stranger to natural disasters, and we know how vital it is to build local resilience. From ensuring critical infrastructure can withstand severe weather to supporting vulnerable residents, the LDMG works year-round to make sure no one is left behind.

I want to extend a big thank you to all the members of the LDMG for their ongoing commitment and tireless efforts behind the scenes. Their dedication means that when the unexpected happens, we are ready to stand together as a community and look after one another.

As always, I encourage everyone to have their own household emergency plan in place. You can find resources in the comprehensive Emergency Action Guide on Council’s website to help you prepare, and I urge you to take a moment to review this document.

Stay safe and look out for each other — because in the Whitsundays, we know that together, we’re stronger.

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