The multi-million dollar Port Douglas cyclone shelter will be the last port in a storm for people seeking safety from a severe weather event.

Acting Council CEO Peter Tabulo said a strategic plan regarding the management of all evacuation facilities in the Cairns region is currently being undertaken, but residents will be encouraged to exhaust other options for respite before turning to the shelter.

"When a natural disaster threatens, residents will initially be encouraged to make their preparations and determine whether they will evacuate their homes. If you are going to leave, then go early," Mr Tabulo said.

"At this point, residents should act in accordance with their own evacuation plans and access accommodation outside of the storm surge risk zone with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues."

He said residents with no other options for safe accommodation will be advised when the cyclone shelter will be accessible.

"Activation of evacuation centres will be made known via media and other resources at the time when the threat becomes imminent and centres should be treated as a last resort when there is nowhere else to go."



Mr Tabulo said Council’s evacuation framework is based on "self-evacuation" and encouraged residents to check whether they live in a storm surge zone, through Council’s Storm Tide Evacuation Guide.

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"An evacuation centre should be considered a place of last resort. The messages that people should only evacuate when instructed to and that an evacuation order may be issued if lives are at risk from a storm tide inundation event in developed areas, are being reinforced.

"It should be remembered that an evacuation centre is meant to be short-term, emergency accommodation with very basic amenities and facilities. You will be more comfortable at home or at someone else’s home."

In the period leading up to Cyclone Yasi reaching land in February 2011, many residents were confused about the evacuation process and where they could go to bunker down while the storm passed.

Club Tropical, Nautilus Apartments, and the Sheraton Mirage accommodated residents and visitors, while around 250 people sought shelter at the Mossman sports complex, the designated evacuation centre for the area at the time, where people endured stifling conditions.

The Douglas region was largely unaffected by the category five system.

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