Meeting papers

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                        9 SEPTEMBER 2025


7.1          2025 ANNUAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT REPORT


Author             Admin and Disaster Mgmt Support Officer, Sue Lowrie
                   Infrastructure Services Department
Index              ECM/Subject/Disaster Management/Disaster Operations
Attachments        1.   Att 1 - TC Alfred March 2025 - lessons identified


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides an overview of the work and initiatives developed in all areas of disaster
management over the past year and forms over the last 12 months and will be tabled with relevant
district, state and federal agencies as an account of Noosa Council performance. In accordance with
the Disaster Management Act 2003, Regulations and other disaster and recovery management
doctrines, the Noosa Shire Council is responsible for multiple functions across the key pillars of
prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (PPRR).
Key initiatives over the year to 30 June 2025 include:
   •    Effective co-ordinated response and debrief process for Tropical Cyclone Alfred (TC Alfred)
        and the subsequent late March rain event known as the Western Queensland Trough rainfall
        event
   •    Finalisation of the comprehensive 2022 disaster reconstruction program, alongside the
        implementation and delivery of the reconstruction initiatives arising from the 2025 disaster
        events across the Shire.
   •    Implementation of enhanced flood intelligence functionality within Guardian IMS to improve
        situational awareness and support more informed response activities during flood events;
   •    Technical improvements to the Noosa Disaster Dashboard to streamline community access
        to flood camera imagery, improving usability and public engagement during emergencies;
   •    Completed Phase 1 of flood risk investigations into the most flood-affected neighbourhood in
        Noosa, the Lake Entrance Blvd community, and obtained funding for Phase 2 through the
        Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA);
   •    Completion of the first iteration of Noosa’s Local Resilience Action Plan which has been
        shared with QRA, outlining priority actions for Council to improve resilience across the region;
   •    Consultation with the Kin Kin Community group to support the roll out of a Community
        Disaster Sub Plan to that community.
A key priority for the program moving forward is to maintain a strong emphasis on foundational
elements, including the effective operation of systems, regular review and updating of documentation
and procedures, and targeted training in disaster support functions. Additionally, the program will
incorporate and action lessons identified from the TC Alfred activation and the Western Queensland
Trough rainfall event that impacted Noosa in March 2025.

The disaster resilience program will continue to focus on disaster preparedness, but will also
undertake reflections exercise from the extended disaster reconstruction program to assist in
informing future programs of this magnitude. These focus areas will ensure optimal readiness for
any future disaster event.




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