Disaster Management Unit
Cairns Regional Council's Disaster Management Unit provides administrative, financial and operational support to:
The Local Disaster Management Group – Cairns Region meets regularly in an aim to coordinate and develop strategies to mitigate the effects of disasters on the community wherever possible or practical, and to be prepared to respond when disasters do occur.
The Group’s membership is made up a range of agencies including (but not limited to):
- Cairns Regional Council
- Cairns Base Hospital
- Cairns Port Authority
- Emergency Management Queensland
- Ergon Energy
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- Queensland Fire & Rescue Service
- Queensland Police Service
- State Emergency Service
There is a legislative requirement for Council to maintain an active local disaster management group. This Group has been developed in accordance with Section 29 Disaster Management Act 2003.
Cairns Regional Council maintains a Disaster Coordination Centre in the event of disasters affecting the council area. Council officers and the centre’s volunteers are responsible for coordinating the emergency response in conjunction with officers from other lead emergency agencies.
The public may seek assistance before, during and after a disaster event by telephoning the Centre on (07) 4044 3377.
If your call is life-threatening always dial 000 to be connected to Emergency Services.
You can now receive updates from the Disaster Coordination Centre on Facebook & Twitter.
- and the State Emergency Service
Throughout the year, the Unit also undertakes a range of projects aimed a prevention, preparation, response and recovery from disasters for the Cairns Region.
Some recent projects have included:
- Construction of the Woree Multi Purpose Community Centre (due for completion in 2010).
- Development of an Evacuation Strategy (due for completion in 2010)
- A new support vehicle for the Cairns SES Group
- A new 4WD road crash rescue vehicle for SES Group at Alexandra Bay SES.
- Construction and fit out of a new SES shed at Alexandra Bay.
- Construction of purpose built mobile support (welfare) trailer for the Mossman SES with the capacity to feed up to 100 volunteers in the field.
- SES recruitment drive.
- Storm Tide study - development of mapping to inform the community of storm tide risks.
- Undertaking a review and combining Cairns City & Douglas Shire Council's Disaster Management Plans into one comprehensive Plan for the new Region.
- Annual public education campaign including the Cairns Post Cyclone Survival Guide.
- Upgrades to the Flood Alert Warning Stations to improve the early warning system of river heights and potential flooding.
Staff from the Disaster Management Unit are also available to speak with school and community groups about disaster preparedness.
The Disaster Management Unit can be contacted on (07) 4044 3044.