Residents advised to prepare for severe weather

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has urged residents to get disaster ready and to take appropriate steps to protect their homes and property against extreme weather.

Cr Schrinner said the tragic bushfires in southeast Queensland served as a reminder that disasters can hit at any time and residents should undertake precautionary measures ahead of seasonal weather threats.

“Over the past week, we have seen the devastating impacts of bushfires, which have destroyed houses, killed our native wildlife and displaced the local community,” he said.

“Brisbane is a great place to live, work and relax, but our subtropical climate means our city is prone to severe weather, including flash flooding, storms and bushfires.

“It is so important to prepare for these threats and I urge residents to undertake simple actions, including trimming trees, removing overhanging branches, cleaning leaves and debris from gutters and tying down objects in gardens.

“To help residents prepare, Brisbane City Council is providing three free green waste tipping weekends at our resource recovery centres on September 21-22, October 5-6 and October 19-20.

“Please check on relatives and neighbours, especially our elderly members of the community, and use the free disaster readiness checklist and the Early Warning Alert Service.

“We also encourage residents to create a bushfire survival plan and practice it with their family.

“Taking some time to carry out these simple actions will help minimise risk and protect your family from the unfortunate strikes of severe weather.”

Cr Schrinner said Council had implemented several initiatives to protect residents and their homes.

“Council has allocated funds to the Brisbane State Emergency Services Unit to prepare the community through education programs and to provide immediate relief if a disaster occurs,” he said.

“We have invested in fire preparedness activities, including 10 planned burns over 206 hectares of bushland, fire trail construction, fuel hazard and fire response monitoring and fire management plans.

“Brisbane is a beautiful clean and green environment with fantastic weather, unfortunately, this also makes us vulnerable to severe weather threats, including storms and bushfires.

“We will keep investing in programs that protect our residents and their homes, our precious green space and the native wildlife that calls it home.

“Council will keep supporting the community and delivering these essential programs to make sure the Brisbane of tomorrow is even better than the Brisbane of today.”