Cairns has been recognised at a recent state awards ceremony for doing its part to make Queensland the most resilient state in Australia.
Cairns Regional Council received a commendation and Smithfield State High School a top mark at the Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards.
The annual awards celebrate and promote initiatives that build community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia.
Council received a highly commended in the local government category for the Cairns Resilient Businesses Network.
An initiative of Council, with support from the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, it helps businesses become more resilient through training, workshops and planning templates.
Since its introduction two years ago, the initiative has continued to grow and featured in a presentation at the recent Australian Disaster Resilience conference.
Smithfield State High School won the state schools award for its "Cairns in Your Hands" sustainability project, delivered through its Tropical North Learning Academy.
The "Cairns in Your Hands" program gave students the opportunity to contribute to Council's "Our Cairns Coast" Coastal Hazards Adaptation Strategy – a guide to decision-making, planning and responses in managing natural threats to the coast from erosion, storm-tide inundation and sea level rise to the year 2100.
Deputy Mayor and Chair of Local Disaster Management Group, Terry James, said the awards highlighted the good work being done in building the region's resilience.
"Recognition at the recent awards shows the quality of the resilience development programs available in Cairns and across our communities," Cr James said.
"These are unique initiatives in the state and contribute significantly towards building resilience in two critical sectors of the community – our young people and our businesses."
Council is also making a presentation on disaster communications with the deaf community in Cairns at this week's Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.
Cairns is the only Australian local government area presenting at the conference, which has an international audience.
Cr James said the awards served as a timely reminder of the upcoming disaster season.
"With the Bureau of Meteorology officially declaring a third La Niña in a row, residents are encouraged to start preparations now for the disaster season," Cr James aid.
"The La Niña increases the risk of rain and flooding in the coming months, as well as increases the likelihood of tropical cyclones."
Council has information on its website to help residents with their preparations here.
Cr James also urged residents to familiarise themselves with the Cairns Disaster Dashboard.
