Cairns, Far North 2023 floods and severe weather review hears of major issues with plans, messages and processes
Cairns’ flood victims conveyed their concerns about official processes, communication and digital information hubs while reviewing the 2023 floods, instead calling for basic “grassroots” initiatives. What they want.
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Cairns’ northern beaches residents had little faith in government processes, minimal knowledge of emergency updates and plans, and were forced to take evacuation matters into their own hands during the December 2023 floods, a public forum heard.
The Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management is currently taking submissions as it reviews Queensland’s 2023-24 severe weather season and on Wednesday hosted a public forum at the Holloways Beach Sports Club.
With more than 50 residents in attendance, the term “grassroots management” was frequently heard as concerned locals shared their frustrations about either “confusing” or absent messaging leading up to the severe weather on December 17.
The meeting heard a lot of residents were not aware of official channels such as local government disaster dashboards, and rather, were relying on local media and social media for updates and information on road closures, evacuation notices and weather warnings.
Concerns were also raised about the lack of resources in emergency support crews including the SES, whose volunteers were also victims of the weather.
Residents then shared stories of evacuation – and how many in the northern beaches “had no where to go”.
The meeting heard local community halls were locked and residents were unable to retrieve keys without “making an online booking,” resorting to breaking fences or whatever means necessary to access shelter.
Some residents told the meeting they had no idea when, or whether to evacuate and relied on neighbours and information on social media to make decisions.
They told the forum they were unaware of disaster management plans and felt overwhelmed in the midst of the weather event to be sourcing official information online – if they had power and internet at all.
In concluding, the meeting heard about the struggles of residents post-flooding when applying for government grants and assistance, and insurance, and the toll it was taking on locals “already exhausted and at their wits end” to navigate digital forms and call centres.
Suggestions for improvements included recruitment drives to boost emergency support personnel, less reliance on digital platforms to convey information and a move towards handheld radios, greater community access to evacuation centres, and the possible allocation of suburb-specific disaster co-ordinators.
Residents were also frequently vocal about the absence of representation from Cairns Regional Council – which they stated would have been one of the key beneficiaries of the discussions held.
While IGEM stated individual invitations were not made, the meeting was advertised on the council’s website.
Among the concerned residents was Machans Beach local Deryck Thompson, who said the communities were appreciative of IGEM hosting the meeting, but questioned the timing.
“We’re now nine months since the event, it would’ve made more sense to have this within three months,” Mr Thompson said.
He said he was concerned the report following the review was not due for State Government until the end of September, with an election looming, and the next wet season “just around the corner”.
He also expressed his disappointment at the absence of local government representatives.
“We all want to do whatever it takes to reduce the pain of these events in the future, and we cannot do that without our council,” he said.
A Cairns Regional Council spokeswoman said the local government had already met with the inspector general and participated in the review, and that “themes of the Wednesday night meeting were also discussed.”
“Council commissioned an extensive, independent After Action Review following TC Jasper and the associated flooding event, which made 17 recommendations on how Council and the LDMG could improve operations in preparation for future disaster events,” the spokeswoman said.
“We are fully committed to implementing all recommendations.
“Senior council officers have also participated in approximately 20 community meetings since the event occurred.”
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Originally published as Cairns, Far North 2023 floods and severe weather review hears of major issues with plans, messages and processes
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