Queensland’s title as Australia’s most disaster-prone state has prompted the State Government to launch a $3.8 million public education campaign to get Queenslanders prepared for the coming wet season.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the Get Ready Queensland campaign had been developed to help Queenslanders better understand potential weather-related hazards in their communities and provide advice on how to prepare, and where to find more information and assistance.

The campaign includes a state-wide mail-out of the “Get Ready Queensland Guide” to more than 1.9 million letterboxes, an advertising campaign encouraging people to be prepared to cope at home if essential services and transport routes are cut and an advertising campaign focusing on the dangers of driving over flooded roadways or playing in floodwaters.

Mr Roberts said the campaign had been developed in response to the interim recommendations of Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and with the Bureau of Meteorology’s prediction of another busy storm and cyclone season in mind.

“Less than 10 months ago Queensland was devastated by one of the worst series of natural disasters to impact our state, which included widespread flooding and the most severe Tropical Cyclone to make landfall in 100 years,” Mr Roberts said.

“Tragically, more than 30 people lost their lives and three remain unaccounted for as a result of these disasters, with many Queenslanders still working to rebuild their lives and homes.

“But just as we are determined to rebuild our communities, infrastructure and transport links following our summer of devastation, we are equally determined that we will be the best prepared of any state to cope with natural disasters.

“That’s not to say Queenslander’s aren’t already well-versed in preparing and responding to natural disasters – we want to encourage them to further enhance their preparations.”

The Get Ready Queensland Guide will be sent to letterboxes across the state and will provide people with important information to help them assess the risks in their neighbourhood, develop an emergency plan for potential disaster situations, and to know where to go for information and who to call for help.

It will be supported by online resources and a comprehensive media campaign, two television commercials, a social media campaign and secondary public education initiatives.

“Every summer our emergency services agencies respond to incidents where people have ignored warnings and road closure signs, driven through flood water and become stuck,” Mr Roberts said.

“Not only does this behaviour risk the lives of drivers and their passengers, often with tragic consequences, it also puts our rescue crews at risk.

“The message is simple. If it’s flooded, forget it.”

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