POP UP DISASTER INFO COMES TO ISLANDS
Redland City Council is taking to the streets in its latest effort to help people be prepared for natural disasters such as storms and bushfires.
The first was held on Russell Island on Saturday the 9th of February and was attended by Cr Mark Edwards.
“I was pleased that 270 people took Disaster Management booklets and many stated they have prepared their own emergency evacuation plans.”
The Russell Island visit and response came in the wake of two major fire situations this summer.
The second event on the islands was held on Saturday 25 February at the Macleay Island SPAR Supermarket forecourt, with similar strong interest from Macleay Islanders.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams and Chair of the local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) said a series of City-wide pop-up stalls would give people the chance to meet front-line emergency staff.
“Our Southern Moreton Bay Islands Street Speaks events have been advertised for the past few weeks, with the first event being held recently at Russell Island Shopping Centre,” Cr Williams said.
“These will be followed by a number of similar events around Redlands in coming months.
“These stalls will give people the chance to meet Rural Brigade and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers as well as members of Council’s own Emergency Management Team.
“People can ask questions about how to best prepare their own properties, as well as learn more about all the work these groups do for our community.
“As witnessed recently via the second fire on Russell Island, it has been a busy storm and bushfire season this summer with more still ahead of us, so there has never been a better time to be informed and prepared.
“People will also be able to take away a copy of our Redland City Disaster Management Plan, with suburb-specific information all residents should know about how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disaster events.”
Dates for remaining Southern Moreton Bay Islands pop-up stalls are:
Saturday 11 March: Lamb Island Convenience Store, 9am – 12pm
Saturday 25 March 2017: Karragarra Island Jetty, 9am – 12pm
These will be followed by a series of pop-up stalls on the mainland – follow Council on Facebook www.facebook.com/redlandcouncil
or check their website www.redland.qld.gov.au
for updates on dates and times.
For information on keeping your families safe in natural disaster events, you can also visit Council’s dedicated website www.redlanddisasterplan.com.au
• The display on Macleay Island outside Spar Supermarket.
PROGRESS ASSOCIATION ‘THANKS’ FOR COUNCIL GRANTS!
The Macleay Island Progress Association Inc. (MIPA) wishes to thank and acknowledge the financial contributions of the Redland City Council for the restoration / replacement of the roofing over the MIPA hall, associated rooms and the community library.
With a spectacular view from the veranda over to Karragarra Island, the nearness to the water has meant that, over time, the old roof had become badly corroded in multiple places.
Despite the best efforts of various members of the organisation to patch up the holes, water still managed to enter the buildings during inclement weather – a real safety issue for those who attend the many regular activities in the hall, meeting/consulting room, and for the library volunteers and clientele.
Thanks to the support of Redland City Council through the Minor Infrastructure Grant ($10,000) and Mark Edwards’ Councillors’ Small Grant, ($3,000), MIPA was able to afford to pay the balance of this major task.
A competitive quote and generous support was received from local business Bay Island Roofing. All assistance and support is very much appreciated.
Whilst the MIPA facilities were closed for this project, the access from the roadway was also upgraded to include a ramp, more appropriate stairs, and a level concreted area at the front of the building.
Motion-sensitive lighting has since been installed. Volunteers from Friends of the Library have planted and will continue to maintain a landscaped area of native plants at the front of the building.
With the major issues of safe access and a secure roof being addressed, the state of the veranda and the interior of the building will be the next projects to be considered.
Suggestions as well as offers of support and assistance can be sent to macleayprogress@gmail.com