Summer Safety Campaign Returns: Council helping residents prepare for possible extreme weather
Gympie residents are being urged to prepare their homes and families this Summer, as part of a new disaster preparedness campaign launching this month.
Gympie Regional Council’s Summer Safety campaign provides residents and visitors with practical tips and resources to prepare for extreme weather events, including storms, floods, and bushfires, which are all available on the Summer Safety page of Council’s website.
Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group and Mayor Glen Hartwig emphasised the importance of preparation as summer weather risks increase.
“Summer is commonly associated with holidays and sharing time with family and friends, but it’s also an important time for us to each take some steps to prepare ourselves and our families for the possibility of wild weather,” Cr. Hartwig said.
“It’s fantastic to see so many schools and influential figures in our community stepping up to help spread the word. Their support highlights the strength and spirit that our region is known for.
“Let’s all take the time to prepare, stay informed, and keep safety front of mind.
“Remember, if a road is flooded, forget it.”
Gympie Regional Council Disaster Management Coordinator Murray Heron says taking responsibility for safety and disaster preparedness is up to all of us.
“We’ve recently experienced severe hail and wet weather in our region, which serves as a timely reminder to prepare for any disaster events that may come our way this summer,” Mr Heron said.
“Council’s online Disaster Dashboard provides live, up-to-date information and warnings about weather events, bushfires, road closures, flood mapping, and power outages.”
A key focus of this year’s campaign is community collaboration, with local leaders and key members of the Gympie region stepping up as ambassadors to help spread the important message of disaster preparedness.
Campaign ambassadors include:
- Jenny Wilson – State Emergency Service
- Brad Inskip – Queensland Police
- Murray Heron – Gympie Regional Council
- Peter Harkin – Queensland Police
- Nick Green – PC Place Gympie
- Julia Avis – Red Cross
- Shona Sengstock – ANARRA Wildlife Rescue Gympie and Fraser Coast
- Aisha Belling - Playback Gympie
- Emma Buhse – Local disability advocate
- Mayor Glen Hartwig – Gympie Regional Council
- Nicole Cleary OAM – RSPCA
- Councillor Warren McEwan – Gympie Regional Council
Each ambassador will be featured in a dedicated video as part of a series on Council’s Facebook page, highlighting key disaster preparedness messages.
In addition, several local schools, including Gympie West State School, Wolvi State School, Amamoor State School, Victory College, One Mile State School, Cooloola Christian College, and James Nash State High School, are supporting the campaign by displaying Summer Safety messaging on their electronic signage and/or social media platforms.
To access Council’s Disaster Dashboard, visit [https://disaster.gympie.qld.gov.au/](https://disaster.gympie.qld.gov.au/ "smartCard-inline")
For more information about Summer Safety, visit [www.summersafety.com.au](http://webdefence.global.blackspider.com/urlwrap/?q=AXicFcxNCsIwEAbQ7wKewv202krBlUjBpWeIdRoDiWky-SGeXrp-8PDAIQDHHxBt66dIEgs5Zezivyl6S4t3GO_n4TnrMl6mUz-g8ktMYoocMkuSm25uM0zBvkn7Qirjk9J27bpaK0l2jqOolVPbt52BugJ_oO0ojQ&Z "")