Get-Ready Carpentaria
As the peak period for natural disasters heats up, the nine councils of North West Queensland have launched a campaign to help residents and visitors be better prepared for cyclones, floods and severe storms with easily accessible, local information and resources.
Combining their experience and local knowledge, the local councils of the North West have updated the recently launched Get Ready NWQ mobile phone app with detailed new resources, plus a new Get Ready NWQ Facebook page, brochures, posters and an exciting competition with more than $5,000 worth of prizes.
North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) Chair, Cr Jack Bawden, said while we can’t control the weather, being prepared can make all the difference to your safety, stress levels and recovery.
“One of the easiest and sure-fire ways to ensure you’re disaster-ready is downloading the Get Ready NWQ app,” Cr Bawden said. “The app is your go-to resource before, during and after a natural disaster, with everything from the latest emergency information and comprehensive emergency kit checklists, to the steps to take to prepare your home and business, and a local directory.”
To encourage more residents to download and use the app, a competition is being run where North West Queenslanders can enter the draw to win an ENGEL 40L car fridge worth $1500, one of two ACR ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacons or one of 90 $50 Eftpos or Buy Local vouchers to help them get ready.
Simply download the app www.getreadynwq.com.au/app and fill out the in-app entry form. Entries close 31 January. The competition is open only to North West Queensland residents over 18 years of age.
How the Get Ready NWQ app can help you:
Before an emergency
✔︎ Find out your risk of flood, cyclone and bushfires
✔︎ Create your emergency and evacuation plan
✔︎ Take the quiz to see how ready you are if a natural disaster were to hit today
✔︎ Checklists on what you need to do around the home, car, work, and community in preparation
✔︎ Emergency and evacuation packing checklist
✔︎ Tips for driving in North West Queensland
During an emergency
✔︎ Check for updates on your local council’s response during a natural disaster including the latest emergency information, road conditions and disaster management
✔︎ Comprehensive list of emergency contacts
✔︎ Health and safety tips and resources
After an emergency
✔︎ Check road closures and flood cameras
✔︎ Use the local directory to find the closest fuel, grocery shops and health services
Cr Bawden urged residents to download the app and follow their local council on social media to stay up to date with what is happening in their local area. “We can’t control the weather, but we can be prepared!”
Download the Get Ready NWQ app today. www.getreadynwq.com.au/app
The Get Ready North West Queensland campaign is an initiative of North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils whose member councils include Burke Shire Council, Carpentaria Shire Council, Cloncurry Shire Council, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Etheridge Shire Council, Flinders Shire Council, McKinlay Shire Council, Mount Isa City Council and Richmond Shire Council.
This project is supported by Get Ready Queensland, a Queensland Reconstruction Authority initiative.