Community Information Centre launches new disaster recovery directory for NQ

The Townsville Community Information Centre has launched a disaster recovery directory in order to ensure North Queensland bounces back quickly from any disaster.

Helen Lynn (Information Officer), Teresa Hudson (General Manager), Damien Lawardorn (Project Officer).

The Townsville Community Information Centre has launched a disaster recovery directory in order to ensure North Queensland bounces back quickly from any disaster.

Community Information Centre General Manager Teresa Hudson said while there were already ample preparedness resources that help support Townsville in the lead-up to events like the yearly cyclone season, there was a ‘noticeable gap’ for resources that direct the community immediately after disaster strikes.

“Following the 2019 Townsville Monsoon Event and Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, we made a concerted effort to create and maintain a database of relevant information, including avenues of support and a comprehensive guide to government directives,” Ms Hudson said.

Cungulla residents prepare for Cyclone Kirrily. Having survived Cyclone Tracey and Cyclone Yasi Cungulla resident Kell Stahr plans to stay at this home and ride out the storm. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The goal is to have a central point of access that community members from the Townsville region can turn to during the disaster-recovery period to see at a glance who they need to call or where they need to go to get the support they need.

“Listings are kept up to date in real-time to reflect the focus area of each organisation listed within it.”

The first iteration of the directory was rolled out in a trial immediately after Tropical Cyclone Kirrily touched down, and while the damage from that event was limited, the directory still garnered thousands of clicks the week it was activated.

Set up with help via funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, the trial was used to finetune the information the community was looking for, and how best to deliver it, Disaster Resilience Portfolio Lead Nina O’Brien said.

Cungulla residents prepare for Cyclone Kirrily. Bryan Lyne gets some sandbags from the community centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

“From FRRR’s work with disaster-affected communities over nearly 25 years, we know that investing in preparedness activities is as important – if not more so – than recovery.” Ms O’Brien said.

“Initiatives like this community-driven, local disaster resource directory are a powerful way to strengthen community resilience and will meet a critical need for accurate and timely information sharing.

“It reinforces the importance of accurate and timely information, local collaboration and networking, both on a personal and organisational level.

“It will clearly strengthen the community’s ability to respond in a timely, effective and highly localised way to a future disaster or disruption.”

A further $20,000 in funding from Suncorp will be used to deliver the director across the 24/25 disaster season.

Ms Hudson said it was time for the local community to brush up on the details of their disaster planning and work the directory into the resources at hand.

“It’s that time of year where people are being warned about natural disasters, and being prepared in the event one occurs,” Ms Hudson said.

“The Disaster Recovery Directory reduces the time needed and stress created in the process of trying to get back in your feet after a significant, community-wide rupture.

“Residents can follow the Community Information Centre Townsville on socials for up to date information or visit our website after a disaster event to access the Disaster Recovery Directory.”

Originally published as Community Information Centre launches new disaster recovery directory for NQ