A report into the response of community, Scenic Rim Regional Council and individuals following Cyclone Alfred has found a need for improvement at all levels, but primarily Council.
One of the key findings of The Tamborine Mountain Community Disaster Response Report – Cyclone Alfred was the lack of confidence in the Scenic Rim Regional Council.
The report said there is a perception of an absence of action by the Council after the 2023 tornado, particularly in relation to planning and preparedness as well as the perception that coordinating assistance is problematic for the Council.
Residents noted the Council appeared unprepared and was reactive, rather than responsive.
It found a need for improved communication from the Council before, during and after future events.
Engaging with community members with expertise in disaster management was thought to be beneficial.
The report collated over 100 observations from volunteers engaged in community support during the cyclone as well as Facebook groups producing ten key insights.
Energy security was also seen as a major issue, with over 3000 residents without power more than seven days, uninterrupted supply to a community hub, medical centre, petrol station and food supplies was crucial.
Arran Hassell, who edited the report said Council needs to invest in generators for a community hub and a form of communication into the community, such as SMS messaging. He hopes to address this with the Council.
However, he said it was also important for essential businesses to invest in their community by having their own generators.
The need for a register of the elderly and infirm would enable welfare checks to be carried out and a community welfare centre established providing toilets, showers and power were also brought up.
Arran said the way the community supported itself to get through the event and the fact it is stronger as a result stood out to him in the report.
“Every individual has a part to play in supporting the community,” Arran said.
He said communication was one of the key issues raised in the report.
Again, respondents were critical of council’s lack of text messages to residents, who said they were getting regular texts from other councils, but not Scenic Rim Regional Council.
The Facebook page, Tamborine Mountain Disaster and Emergency Preparedness was praised for being an effective and timely source of information for residents, provided internet access was available.
In contrast, the Council’s Disaster Dashboard was not updated with the right information at the right time, particularly around flooding.
Community noticeboards at key locations covering the three areas of the mountain were suggested as means of communication, particularly announcing townhall meetings.
The noticeboards could also be used to log jobs for groups like the SES and the Chainsaw Warriors.
Some respondents noted that people needed to be more self-sufficient and community education and training could be run covering generators, sewerage, water management and solar panels.
Arran said the report has been presented to Councillors Stephen Moriarty and Amanda Hay and he believes it has been circulated by the CEO to Council staff.
“Their (Councillors Moriarty and Hay) feedback was it was a fair reflection of what occurred, and they were grateful to receive community feedback,” he said.
A group of leaders from disaster organisations has now formed to discuss how the community can be best be supported by them in times of need.
Communication and energy security will be a priority topic at the group’s next meeting in May.
