Local Disaster Management Group
Mackay Local Disaster Management Group
The Local Disaster Management Group comprises a number of representatives from Council and local agencies.
The group meets three times a year or as required during the cyclone season, and includes the membership below:
Permanent Members:
- Chairperson - Mayor
- Deputy Chairperson - Deputy Mayor
- Councillor
- Local Disaster Coordinator - MRC Director Engineering Services
- Deputy Local Disaster Coordinator - MRC Chief Executive Officer
- Assistant Local Disaster Coordinator - MRC Emergency Mnagement Coordinator
- Assistant Local Disaster Coordinator - MRC Technical Officer - Emergency Management
- MRC Manager Corporate Communications
- MRC State Emergency Service Local Controller
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- Queensland Fire & Rescue Service
- Queensland Police Service
- Emergency Management Queensland
- Australian Red Cross
Advisory Members:
- MRC Water and Waste Respresentative
- MRC Community Development Liaison Officer
- Department of Community Services
- Ergon Energy
- Education Queensland
- Mackay Airport
- Mackay Division of General Practice
- North Queensland Bulk Ports
- Queensland Health
- Rural Fire Service
- Salvation Army
- Sunwater
- Telstra
- Transport and Main Roads
Operational Plans
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 centre management
- Impact assessment
- Logistics
- Medical services
- Public health
- Public information and warnings
- Public works and engineering
- Rescue
- Resupply operations
- Transport
Emergency Management Section
Council funds a full-time Emergency Management Section, consisting of an Emergency Management Coordinator, Technical Officer - Emergency Management and State Emergency Service Local Controller, to coordinate the areas of planning, community education, staff training, disaster management and disaster risk management.
Disaster Reponse Levy
Council has adopted a Disaster Response Levy ($11.40 per annum - 2011/12) which is levied against all rateable assessments to ensure that Council has the capability to meet its obiligations in times of natural disaster.
Examples of areas in which the levy may provide funding are:-
- Upgrading facilities utilised during times of natural disaster; and
- Contributing to the cost of the SES and Emergency Management and the development and implemenation of an emergency risk paln for the area.
State Emergency Service Volunteers
As part of the Disaster Management Act 2003, Councils and Emergency Management Queensland are jointly responsible for providing and sponsoring volunteer State Emergency Service units, with some state government financial assistance.
Council employs a fulltime local controller and supplies storage and operational equipment such as vehicles, flood boats, trailers, chainsaws, generators, lighting and safety equipment.
Council is committed to providing upgraded facilities and additional capital equipment via funding available from the Disaster Response Levy.
There are 9 SES volunteer groups in the region located at:
- Mackay
- Calen
- Midge Point
- Mirani
- Finch Hatton
- Sarina
- Armstrongs Beach
- Sarina/Campwin Beach
- Koumala
For emergency assistance telephone 132 500.
For further information on how to join the State Emergency Service, contact the Local Controller on 0409 894 721 or visit www.ses.qld.gov.au