Free and local events will pop up at shopping centres and libraries around Ipswich during Get Ready Queensland Week (11 – 17 October), as Council opens a new competition to help the community to prepare for storm season.
The competition will see four winners receive an emergency kit for describing in 25 words or less what actions people will take to prepare for severe weather or disasters that could affect their home, family or business.
Alongside the community pop-up sessions, Council has partnered with the Queensland Police Service to host the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Expo at the Ipswich Showgrounds on Sunday 17 October.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said everyone has a role to play in preparing for natural disasters.
“Our city is no stranger to the impacts of natural disasters,” Mayor Harding said.
“Time and time again, our community has banded together to support each other through storms, fires and floods.
“However, an effective natural disaster response starts well before the event. Council is committed to supporting all of our residents to have a practical plan in place for when storms hit.
“It is important to put together our safety and evacuation plans, emergency kits and check on insurance coverage in times of fair weather.”
Ipswich Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the pop-ups and expo was a demonstration of Council’s commitment to improving community safety and resilience.
“Aside from being a great day out for the family, the expo brings together a host of emergency services that can provide expert advice on how to prepare and plan for all of the conditions nature can throw at us; from fire and flood, to hail and high winds,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“We can’t underestimate the benefit of being prepared for storm season, it can quite literally save lives.”
Each year the damage bill from natural disasters costs Australians an average of $18 billion, with two thirds of those disasters occurring in Queensland.
The events are part of the Queensland Government’s ‘Get Ready Queensland’ campaign to remind all communities about the importance of planning for the impacts of severe weather.
The competition can be accessed at bit.ly/getready21
Ipswich Libraries are offering story time and toddler time on storm readiness. Bookings can be made at www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/whats-on/children/
More information on the Expo can be found via the Facebook event here
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