Get ready for the upcoming bushfire and storm season

Prepare yourself. This summer could be disastrous.

Redlands Coast residents are being urged to get ready now to ensure they are as prepared as possible for this year’s late spring/summer bushfire and storm season.

Redland City Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Jos Mitchell said it was important to be proactive at this time of the year.

“We know the months ahead traditionally can bring devastating weather events and we need to prepare for those possible threats,” she said.

The Mayor said Get Ready Queensland Week, from 7 to 13 October, was an opportune time to make those preparations.

“It is all about identifying what you need to do to ensure your family and your property are as resilient as possible,” she said.

“Simple steps you can take include clearing debris from roofs and gutters, trimming branches that overhang dwellings, and removing overgrown vegetation.

“You should also prepare an emergency kit and ensure you have a bushfire management plan in place for your household.”

The Mayor said Council also had a significant role to play in preparing for the bushfire and storm season.

She said Council’s Fire Management team reduced bushfire risks across the city by slashing Council-owned land adjoining houses, and creating firebreaks, as well as carrying out controlled burns to reduce fuel loads.

“These burns make a significant difference to the volume of forest litter, such as dead branches and leaves and grasses, which act as a fuel source during bushfires,” said the Mayor who toured an area in Scribbly Gums Conservation Area, Alexandra Hills, where a controlled burn was carried out by Council earlier this year.

“Once these controlled burns are done, you can easily see how clear the ground area is.

“Not only do the burns reduce fire danger, but they make it easier to access areas to fight bushfires, as well as providing conditions essential for natural regeneration of local plants.”

The Mayor said the hazard reduction burns were carried out by slowly burning off undergrowth in controlled conditions, meaning native wildlife had time to escape.

For more advice on reducing fire hazards on your property, go online to Council’s bushfire preparedness page or visit the Queensland Fire Department website at fire.qld.gov.au.

Council also maintains a dedicated Redland City Disaster Management website that provided practical information on preparing for, responding to and recovering from disaster.

Residents can also subscribe to Council’s free emergency notification messaging service, Redland Coast Alerts, via the Redlands Coast Disaster Dashboard at disaster.redland.qld.gov.au.

During a disaster, the dashboard is continually updated with vital information on road closures, emergency contacts, Energex power outages, active evacuation centres and weather warnings.

Get Ready Week diary note:

Council is partnering with the State Emergency Service (SES) for a Get Ready Week presentation at Victoria Point Library on Friday 11 October from 2-3pm.

SES and Council’s Disaster Management team will offer expert advice on preparing your home and family for the storm and bushfire season.

It is a free event with the opportunity to ask questions. Bookings required. Go to Council’s Libraries event registration page