Emergency Management

Mackay Regional Council proactively plans to reduce the impact on the community from disaster events such as cyclones, storm surges, floods, bushfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc.

The Disaster Management Act 2003 sets out the responsibilities of Local Governments during disasters.

A Local Disaster Management Group, chaired by the Mayor manages and coordinates local and acquired resources required to provide assistance to the community.

Mackay Regional Council has prepared a Disaster Management Plan and Operational Plans for use in the event of a disaster, to meet the following categories:-

Preparedness
Response
Recovery

View Mackay Region Emergency Action Guide (PDF 3.7 mb)

Mackay Local Disaster Management Group

The Mackay Local Disaster Management Group comprises a number of representatives from Council and Agencies as shown below:-

Chairperson
Mayor - Mackay Regional Council

Deputy Chairperson
Councillor - Mackay Regional Council

Executive Officer
Executive Manager Infrastructure Services - Mackay Regional Council

Deputy Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer- Mackay Regional Council

Assistant Executive Officers
Emergency Management Co-ordinator - Mackay Regional Council
Emergency Management Technical Officer - Mackay Regional Council

Members

Manager Corporate Communications - Mackay Regional Council
SES Local Controller
Officer in Charge - Mackay Police Station
Queensland Ambulance Service
Mackay Division of General Practice
Ergon Corporation Pty Ltd
Telstra
Queensland Rail
Department of Main Roads
Mackay Port Authority
Queensland Transport - Maritime Division
Queensland Commerce Queensland

State Advisor
Area Director, Emergency Management, Queensland

The Local Disaster Management Group meets quarterly, or as required during the Cyclone season, which runs from November to May.

A number of working groups have been formed to oversee the formation and review of the Disaster Management Plan together with the associated Operational Plans for :-

Activation Of the Local Disaster Management Group
Disaster Coordination Centre
Financial Management
Community Support
Evacuation
Evacuation Centre Management
Impact Assessment
Logistics
Medical Services
Public Health
Public Information and Warnings
Public Works and Engineering
Rescue
Re-supply Operations
Transport

Selected members of the Management Group undergo formal training in emergency management through Emergency Management Australia and Emergency Management Queensland.

State Emergency Service

As part of the Disaster Management Act 2003, Council is responsible for providing and sponsoring a volunteer State Emergency Service unit (SES), with some State Government financial assistance.

Council supplies operational equipment such as vehicles, flood boats, harnesses, tarpaulins and protective clothing.

There are five Council SES groups in the Mackay district located at:-

Mackay
Mirani
Sarina
Calen
Midge Point

To contact the State Emergency Service in an emergency - Dial 132 500.

For general enquiries - Dial (07) 4957 6963.

Emergency Management Section

Mackay Regional Council has an Emergency Management Section, consisting of an Emergency Management Coordinator and Technical Officer, to coordinate the areas of Planning, Community Education, Staff Training, Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Management.

In addition, Council staff receives internal Disaster Coordination Centre training.