A Queensland-first strategy on disaster resilience is a feature of the updated Local Disaster Management Plan endorsed by Sunshine Coast Council today (December 6).
The four-year plan's primary focus is ensuring the safety of the Sunshine Coast community and builds on the previous 2015-2018 plan.
Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) chair Mayor Mark Jamieson said the aims of the Local Disaster Management Plan 2019-22 were to preserve lives and prevent injuries, mitigate property damage and protect our environment.
"Our highest priority in disaster situations is always the safety and well-being of our 320,000 residents, along with the millions of visitors to the Sunshine Coast each year," Mayor Jamieson said.
"Our Sunshine Coast LDMG, council and our partner agencies are at the forefront of managing disasters that occur in our region and in preparing and educating our community about potential disaster events.
"We recognise that our region is susceptible to natural disasters, especially during the summer months, and we also have to factor in the possibility of man-made incidents which could affect our community.
"Due to the growing recognition of the role local governments have in building disaster resilient regions, our updated Local Disaster Management Plan includes a sub-plan that concentrates on disaster resilience.
"This plan is not only a first for council, it is the first of its kind for a Queensland local government.
"We recognise building regional resilience is a shared responsibility between all levels of government, the business community, non-government sector, our neighbourhoods and the individual. We all have vital roles to play."
Council has identified four priority areas critical to ensuring the region can respond to and recover quickly from a disaster event.
"We will work with our stakeholders and local community to strengthen community connectedness and social capital; strengthen economic and environmental resilience; and work with our partners to develop and protect infrastructure vital to the wellbeing of our community," Mayor Jamieson said.
"Our community can be assured that we have the plans and experience in place so that we are a strong, disaster resilient region able to prepare, respond, recover, and adapt to life after disaster events."
