Last week the Bureau of Meteorology released its climate outlook for September to December.
After some very wet summers, the next few months are going to be much drier, with rainfall predicted to be below median on the east coast of Australia.
It’s a timely reminder for everyone in the City of Logan to think about how prepared they are for disasters or emergencies, especially as we come into bushfire season.
Logan City Council’s Local Disaster Management Group is ready every day of the year to respond if needed.
We conduct regular practice exercises to make sure our staff stay up to speed with what they need to do if a flood, fire or any emergency happens in our city.
I’m pleased to say that our community is in the very best hands when the worst occurs.
But while we have a big role to play in making sure our residents are safe, it’s not solely Council’s responsibility.
Our community can take some very simple steps to always be prepared.
Everyone should have an emergency plan for their family, property and pets.
Your property should be well-maintained and roof gutters cleaned out regularly.
Most of us know to avoid leaving loose items around the backyard that could become dangerous missiles during a storm.
And as bushfire season gets underway, it’s also important to make sure we reduce the risk of fuelling fires by keeping grass, leaves and other vegetation to a minimum.
Council implements several fire fuel mitigation measures throughout the year such as installation of fire access lines and planned burns on public land.
These measures reduce fuel loads, and you may have noticed planned burns have been conducted in recent months.
The opportunities to undertake hazard reduction burns are very much weather-dependent and may not occur as frequently through the upcoming summer months.
But other fire fuel mitigation measures will continue as Council explores all options available to clear out dry undergrowth before it becomes bushfire fuel.
I urge private landholders to also look at their properties and take similar steps if needed.
Council’s online Disaster Dashboard is an important tool for keeping us all safe and it has recently been given an important facelift.
The platform is now more user-friendly, allowing residents and businesses to access the information they want when they want it.
We know the local creek cameras are helpful for seeing in real time which parts of the city are impacted by severe wet weather.
But there’s so much more information on the dashboard, including road hazards and power outages, as well as information on how to prepare for disaster.
If you have your computer or other device handy, please bookmark disaster.logan.qld.gov.au right now.
It could just save your life, or someone you love.
