Mr MILLS - 2007-08-30
Earlier this year, you received a report from a community group for the Review of NT Cyclone Risks. That report gave six pages of recommendations regarding better preparedness for cyclone risk. Can you advise parliament what action has been taken in respect to those recommendations?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am happy to advise parliament that there has been a two day workshop, held by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, which included a whole series of stakeholders involved in cyclone preparedness. There have been discussions with important stakeholders, for example, the Territory Construction Association, because one of the greatest concerns with cyclone preparedness is people’s acknowledgement of the importance to tie down and clean up sites in the period of a cyclone watch. There are some changes coming forward, which the Chief Minister introduced, in relation to extending the period, mandating it from a preparedness of 24 hours prior to a cyclone, extending that out to 48 hours.
I am not sure where the member for Blain is headed with this. If it is scaremongering, then I can say to you, member for Blain, the expert advice is that to cause panic is the worst thing you can do in a cyclone prone region. When people panic and do not follow expert advice that is when lives can be lost. And I will lecture you on this, because I survived Cyclone Tracy. I know the importance of this subject.
Mr Mills: Preparation is important, and we are playing our part, minister.
Ms LAWRIE: Preparation is fundamentally important. We have introduced legislation extending the preparation period from a mandatory 24 hours to 48 hours.
Mr Mills interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Blain!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the work done by the Counter Disaster Council, which covers many agencies of government, led by Emergency Services and also, importantly, the work done by my agency in bringing together a range of stakeholders over that two day workshop to improve cyclone preparedness and to really go into the detail of what we need to do. Anyone listening to the broadcast who wants advice, there are some very obvious things such as do a clean up around your yard. We are entering the build-up season, which is probably a good time to start. Do not leave it too late, and anything that you do not need around your yard, dispose of at your local dump. Tree branches close to your house are a big threat in cyclone seasons, so have an assessment, get a tree person around and get advice on just how healthy that tree is and how it would withstand strong winds.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am happy to advise parliament that there has been a two day workshop, held by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, which included a whole series of stakeholders involved in cyclone preparedness. There have been discussions with important stakeholders, for example, the Territory Construction Association, because one of the greatest concerns with cyclone preparedness is people’s acknowledgement of the importance to tie down and clean up sites in the period of a cyclone watch. There are some changes coming forward, which the Chief Minister introduced, in relation to extending the period, mandating it from a preparedness of 24 hours prior to a cyclone, extending that out to 48 hours.
I am not sure where the member for Blain is headed with this. If it is scaremongering, then I can say to you, member for Blain, the expert advice is that to cause panic is the worst thing you can do in a cyclone prone region. When people panic and do not follow expert advice that is when lives can be lost. And I will lecture you on this, because I survived Cyclone Tracy. I know the importance of this subject.
Mr Mills: Preparation is important, and we are playing our part, minister.
Ms LAWRIE: Preparation is fundamentally important. We have introduced legislation extending the preparation period from a mandatory 24 hours to 48 hours.
Mr Mills interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Blain!
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I acknowledge the work done by the Counter Disaster Council, which covers many agencies of government, led by Emergency Services and also, importantly, the work done by my agency in bringing together a range of stakeholders over that two day workshop to improve cyclone preparedness and to really go into the detail of what we need to do. Anyone listening to the broadcast who wants advice, there are some very obvious things such as do a clean up around your yard. We are entering the build-up season, which is probably a good time to start. Do not leave it too late, and anything that you do not need around your yard, dispose of at your local dump. Tree branches close to your house are a big threat in cyclone seasons, so have an assessment, get a tree person around and get advice on just how healthy that tree is and how it would withstand strong winds.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016