Strengthening focus on disaster resilience

Council has endorsed the Local Resilience Action Plan (LRAP), providing a strategic framework to guide future disaster resilience and risk reduction projects across the Cairns region.

The plan identifies priority initiatives that will strengthen community resilience, reduce disaster risks and improve Council’s ability to access future State and Federal resilience funding.

Ten priority projects have been identified, focusing on water security, critical infrastructure, flood mitigation, emergency access, early warning systems and climate adaptation.

Council also unanimously endorsed securing external funding for the University 2 Reservoir as a High Advocacy Priority of Council reflecting the important role such funding will play in successful project delivery.

The new reservoir has been identified as the region’s highest resilience priority in the LRAP due to its important role in strengthening Cairns’ water security during and after disaster events.

Regular reviews will ensure emerging risks and future resilience opportunities continue to be identified and prioritised.