Community invited to Get Ready at Hinterland Pop Up stand

Noosa residents are being urged to start preparing now ahead of this year’s storm and bushfire season. 

Noosa Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chair Cr Clare Stewart said a prepared community helps minimise the impact of severe weather events. 

“It’s so important that we all become more disaster resilient. It’s up to each of us to be proactive in cleaning up our property and having an emergency kit ready,” she said. 

To help our community, Council has teamed up with Get Ready Queensland to hold an information stall at the Pomona Markets on Saturday October 14, from 7am-midday. 

On hand will be emergency service personnel and Council’s Disaster Resilience Officer and QFES officers to answer any queries.  

“Whether you’re entering your first summer in Noosa or a long-time hinterland local, this event provides you with what you need to know to prepare your family and pets for severe weather,” Mayor Stewart shared.

The event is part of Get Ready Queensland Week, from 9 to 15 October, which aims to raise awareness about being prepared for extreme weather events and disasters. 

Get Ready Queensland Manager Kate Retzki said the GRQ display at the Pomona Markets would give members of the community the chance to review their disaster season preparations.

“We’re encouraging everyone to take three simple steps to prepare for extreme weather – understand your risk, have a plan, and pack an emergency kit,” Ms Retzki said.

“The Get Ready Queensland team will be on hand at Pomona Markets with lots of handy tips for how people can make sure they’re ready for extreme weather.

“Whether it’s bushfires, storms or floods, preparing now can make a world of difference when disaster strikes, so come along and have a chat with us to find out how you can Get Ready,” she said.

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that an El Nino is now underway, and with the World Meteorological Organisation recording that the planet just had its hottest three-month period on record, this summer is highly likely to bring severe heat and fire danger. 

“We need to be ready for increasingly dry, hot conditions and an active bushfire season,” Mayor Stewart said.

“Our Get Ready event on October 14 will feature the best of our emergency services partners across the region. We look forward to welcoming all residents who want to discuss their individual or family dangerous weather planning with any of the exhibitors,” she added.

“Council is still carrying out a lot of rebuilding work from the 2022 February floods and many in our community vividly remember the 2019 bushfires. We are eager to avoid a repeat of those scenarios, but Council and our Local Disaster Management Group are both ready in case we do. 

“We really encourage everyone to understand the risks, be prepared and get ready now so we are well placed to handle anything this upcoming season throws at us,” she concluded.