Emergency service personnel, government representatives and residents took to the floor for a Big Map disaster preparedness session last week.
Hosted by Disaster Relief Australia, the event took place over two days at the Slim Dusty Centre on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 July.
On Day 1, Councillors, Council staff, members of local emergency services and government representatives gathered to talk about ways to help prevent flood and fire disasters. They discussed assets like rain gauges, flood gates and communications and who is responsible for maintaining these important assets. They also worked together to find out how long it takes for rainfall to reach Kempsey after rainfall in the top Macleay River catchment and what levels impact the Kempsey Shire.
On Day 2, community members and landowners joined in. They shared their experiences of past floods and fires and talked about ways to improve infrastructure and communications during emergencies, like putting flood height markers on bridges and other landmarks.
The Big Map event aimed to combine local knowledge with expert advice to make the community better prepared for disasters. It helped people understand the risks in the area and how to work together to protect homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Everyone involved had the chance to talk about their roles and responsibilities during emergencies, making plans for the future.
Disaster Relief Australia led the discussions, and they will use the information gathered to create a report.
