Goomburra is the first community across the Region to develop a Local Emergency Action Plan.
Disaster preparedness is one of the Goomburra Town Hall (GTH) Committee’s aim for the Goomburra Valley and North Branch Road as there is only one road in and out.
With the support of James Wong from Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC), Community Recovery & Resilience Officer (CRRO) and Pia Fletcher (SDRC Disaster Management Coordinator) the Committee explored the community’s interest and the process in being prepared for a disaster.
The process commenced last September with the Disaster Big Map Exercise where the Committee explored the area on a large cloth map which filled the Goomburra Hall.
Representatives from Emergency Services and local community members attended with an aim to collect local information regarding disaster planning for fire and floods.
Next step took place in November, with a “Get Ready Goomburra Emergency Services Event” being held.
Everyone was invited to the Hall to check out the latest high-tech emergency equipment and vehicles.
After much discussion the GTH Committee decided to support the process of developing a Local Emergency Action Plan and the Goomburra Emergency Action Group (GEAG) was formed. The Group is made up of local residents, businesses and Emergency Personnel with James Wong and Pia Fletcher the facilitators of this process.
By developing a plan, the GEAG hopes to implement disaster management which means planning/ developing arrangements The first meeting that set the wheels in motion for this important project. About managing the potential adverse effects of an event, including, for example, arrangements for mitigating, preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from a disaster.
It is important to note that this plan is only required if Goomburra is cut off and help is temporarily delayed from arriving – so the community can better organise itself in the meantime. During a disaster, the council and emergency services coordinate the response and any assistance needed. If someone needs help in an emergency, call 000.
This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 21 June 2023.
