Disaster coordination centre officially opens

The Palaszczuk Government has invested almost $2.75 million in the safety of Far North Queenslanders with a new Community Education and Disaster Coordination Centre for the Tablelands.

In Atherton to officially open the centre, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the region’s residents were now better prepared for disasters and emergencies.

“Communities in this region will be even more resilient and better equipped to face natural disasters, and it proves what can happen when local and state governments work in partnership,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This state-of-the-art complex ensures the Tablelands Regional Council and emergency services officials have a fit-for-purpose facility to coordinate operations in response to emergencies.”

The construction was made possible through the Palaszczuk Government’s $60 million 2017-19 Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP) and $2.25 million contributed by the Council.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the centre would also become a hub for training and education in areas such as first aid, disaster preparation and recovery, and business continuity.

“An added bonus is that through construction, around 14 jobs were estimated to be created or supported, which is a fantastic result for families in the region,” he said.

“It is exactly the type of project the LGGSP is designed to help councils deliver and improve liveability.”

Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Joe Paronella said the facility would have a positive impact on the region for decades to come.

“Our community can have even greater confidence in their safety when facing emergency situations,” Mayor Paronella said.

“This is an essential facility that provides local disaster management authorities the necessary tools to have far better oversight and coordination for response and recovery efforts, allowing them to act with improved speed and efficiency.

“We are proud to partner with the Palaszczuk Government to deliver this facility, which is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our two tiers of government work together for the community.”

The LGGSP is designed to support councils to meet the needs of their community by providing funding for the delivery of priority capital infrastructure projects.

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