Mayoral candidate Chris Whiting has proposed an SMS-based early warning service for floods and severe weather, and committed to a flood buy back scheme for flood-prone houses.
-Cr Whiting will be on Wednesday's Morning Magazine to discuss theses topics. Tune into 101.5FM from 9am.
Cr Whiting has released part of his emergency management policy in response to the findings of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report issued today.
“These are positive plans to make sure we are better prepared if we get more severe flooding in the future,” Cr Whiting said.
“The Early Warning Service is an innovative plan that will help residents ensure they are not caught out again.
“And the buy-back policy helps residents ensure they are not subjected to continuous flooding of their houses year after year.
“Both policy positions are based on initiatives that are already working well in Brisbane.
“The residents in the Dale Street area have been calling for a buy-back of flood-prone properties as based on the criteria in Brisbane City Council.
“I first raised the possibility of a buy-back scheme for regularly flooded properties soon after the January floods, and I am committed to implementing such a scheme as Mayor.
“I’m pleased to see MBRC is now putting together a draft buy-back policy.
“The recommendations in the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report show I was on the right track with my criticisms of management of floods on January 11.
“The Report states that ‘Moreton Bay Regional Council did not provide well for isolated communities’, and the ‘local disaster management group was not in a position to provide information about what particular area should be evacuated or the location of any evacuation centres’.
“The Early Warning Service would help meet Recommendations 4.2 and 4.3 of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Interim Report.
