Douglas Shire Council is helping our communities prepare for the next monsoon season with a series of disaster resilience forums and an “Extreme Weather” photo competition and exhibition planned.

The five “Get Ready” Disaster Resilience community forums and information sessions will be held later this month to educate and inform local residents and businesses about how to best prepare for a cyclone or major flooding event.

To further highlight the importance of our communities being prepared for natural disasters, Council is inviting local residents to submit photos for an “Extreme Weather” exhibition that will feature in the foyer of the Mossman Administration Building, on Council’s website and in the Mossman Library.

The “Extreme Weather” exhibition will be divided into three categories – Weather Event, Community Response and Under-18s – with great prize packs including emergency kits and credit card-sized USB sticks loaded with essential disaster resilience information up for grabs.

Mayor Julia Leu said it was essential local residents and businesses are well prepared for disaster events as the Douglas Shire is about to enter the monsoon season.

“You only have to look at the last monsoon season to understand the impact major weather events can have on our local communities,” Mayor Leu said.

“We had a major monsoonal event in February which caused significant flooding and of course Cyclone Ita which luckily the Douglas Shire avoided the brunt of but it still caused widespread damage.

“The damage bill to Council infrastructure alone caused by these two events was in excess of $15 million, and that’s not even taking into account the significant financial and emotional impact on local residents and businesses.

“It is essential our local residents and businesses are ready for a major weather event because while we are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful pockets of the world, natural disasters unfortunately will also always be a fact of life here.

“I encourage everyone to get along to one of the ‘Get Ready’ Disaster Resilience forums and get involved in the ‘Extreme Weather’ photo competition and exhibition so the Douglas Shire is as best prepared as possible for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.”

To submit an image for the “Extreme Weather” photo competition, simply email your details and submission to enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au or send them to PO Box 723, Mossman 4873.

The Extreme Weather photo exhibition will be held at Council’s Mossman Administration Building from November 17 until December 1.

The dates, times and venues for the “Get Ready” Disaster Resilience community forums and information sessions are:

Alexandra Bay State School

Monday 27 October 3.30-6.30pm

Daintree Village Hall

Tuesday 28 October 3.30-6.30pm

Wonga Beach State School

Wednesday 29 October 3.30-6.30pm

Port Douglas Storm Tide Cyclone Shelter 

(located at Port Douglas State School)

Thursday 30 October 3.30-6.30pm

Mossman Shire Hall

Friday 31 October 3.30-6.30pm