Queenslanders are being encouraged to prepare for future disasters and severe weather thanks to the $2 million Get Ready Queensland fund.
From emergency expos and community clean-ups to emergency plans in traditional Indigenous languages, the Get Ready Queensland fund is supporting local communities to better prepare for future extreme weather events.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning Steven Miles said Queensland experiences more disaster events than any other state in Australia.
"Queensland has been impacted by close to 90 disasters in the past decade and, while Queenslanders are rightly renowned for our ability to respond, experience shows the better prepared a community is, the more quickly it recovers," Mr Miles said.
"Get Ready Queensland funding supports all 77 local governments and one town authority across the state to develop and deliver their own locally-led initiatives to target disaster preparation and awareness in their region."
Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston said in Queensland it is not a matter of 'if' but 'when' we'll experience our next extreme weather event.
"I'm always very proud to see the way Queenslanders step up in a disaster to support each other and their community," Mr Thurston said.
"Queenslanders always work as a team, but when an emergency hits, it's vital we have also prepared as a team.
"We obviously cannot control the weather, however we can always be better prepared. Proper preparation will not only help us as individuals get back on our feet, but also our community.
"So please take the three steps: prepare an emergency plan; pack an emergency kit; and make sure you are insured."
Deputy Premier Miles said this year was no different with many great activities being carried out across the state.
"This year many of the activities receiving funding are focused on working with culturally and linguistically diverse groups or disability groups to ensure disaster messaging and awareness is appropriate for all Queenslanders," he said.
"Other Get Ready activities that will be funded this year include a Get Ready family event in Balonne; improving disaster awareness with accommodation providers in the Whitsundays; tours of the disaster hub in Livingstone Shire Council, emergency plans in traditional language in Cherbourg as well as awareness campaigns and community events across the state."
"Over the years we have seen terrific council initiatives that have made a significant impact in their local communities including disaster dashboards, bedding for evacuation centres, school visits and emergency evacuation planning for aged care residents.
The 2021-22 Get Ready Queensland program is administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority as part of its mission to make Queensland the most disaster resilient state in Australia.
