IN THE midst of a bushfire on North Stradbroke Island, Redland City Council and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation have been recognised for programs relating to disaster management.
The council has won top spot - jointly with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council - in the Local Government category of the Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards for its Community Champions program developed after fires on Russell and Macleay Island in 2016-17.
QYAC was recognised as highly commended in the Community Award category for its response to last year's fires on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
The awards recognising resilience projects that had helped Queensland communities better prepare for natural disasters and emergencies were announced by State Development Minister Cameron Dick on Thursday evening.
Mr Dick said it was important to acknowledge crucial resilience work carried out around the state and thank those involved for improving community safety.
The Community Champions program was developed after the 2016-17 bushfires on Russell and Macleay islands. It involves a community-led response to potential disasters and emergency management.
Through the program, community members were involved in planning, preparation, response and recovery for their community in partnership with disaster management leaders and agencies.
QYAC's land and sea rangers were recognised for implementing traditional fire management methods on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). The efforts of the rangers and partner agencies on fire management strategies were put to the test late last year when a lightning strike start a fire in Eighteen Mile Swamp.
The previous burns and co-ordination between agencies largely contained the fire to the eastern side of the island, avoiding townships.
Mr Dick said there had been a record 34 entries in six categories.
"These innovative projects are safeguarding and strengthening our towns and cities and they highlight Queensland's globally-recognised ingenuity when it comes to disaster resilience," he said.
Each award-winning Queensland project would be reviewed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, with selected projects to be nominated for a National Resilient Australia Award on October 31.
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