Councils from across North and Far North Queensland have converged on Townsville to expand their disaster communications skills.
The workshop, hosted by Townsville City Council at the Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC), was designed to support regional and rural councils ahead of the high-risk weather season.
Participating councils included:
- Douglas Shire Council
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council
- Whitsunday Regional Council
- Flinders Shire Council
- Cloncurry Shire Council
- Burdekin Shire Council
- Charters Towers Regional Council.
Townsville's Local Disaster Coordinator Zac Dawes said the team was proud to be able to share their knowledge with neighbouring councils.
"Our team in Townsville has been activated multiple times in the past two years to respond to cyclones Kirrily and Alfred, as well as for several rain and flooding events, it's fair to say they've gained some serious experience along the way," Mr Dawes said.
"Keeping the community informed is an essential part of disaster management and plays a critical role in ensuring public safety during an event."
"Members of neighbouring councils have reached out to us to learn more from our LDCC Public Information team, and we're more than happy to help.
"It has been great to be able to host communications teams from nearby councils to share what we know and strengthen North Queensland's responses to disaster events."
Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said regional councils working together is key to improving disaster response.
"In North Queensland, preparation is everything. These workshops help our teams build skills and learn from others who've been through it," Mayor Jayo said.
"We may be small, but when regional councils unite, we're stronger. The support and shared experience from neighbouring councils during recent disasters has been invaluable."
In 2025 Townsville's LDCC staff have assisted either remotely or in person at councils like Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Redland City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Brisbane City Council through their own disasters. Council has also received assistance from the Mackay Regional Council in 2024 through Tropical Cyclone Kirrily and the Toowoomba Regional Council throughout the 2025 record-breaking weather event .
To stay up to date on Townsville's latest emergency updates visit the Emergency Management & Disaster Dashboard.
