1
Local Disaster Coordination Centre
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CONTENTS
ANIMALS/ WILDLIFE ........................................................................................................................ 2
Animals – stray / lost ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
Wildlife - injured .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
COMMUNICATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 2
Telephones ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
DAMAGE ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Roof .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Pool Fence - damaged ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
ELDERLY PEOPLE ........................................................................................................................... 2
Require SES assistance (eg. tarping, sandbagging, roof damage etc) ............................................................................... 2
Require assistance with clean-up or other support ............................................................................................................. 2
ELECTRICITY .................................................................................................................................... 2
Power lines down ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
No Power (eg. when will the electricity be back on?) .......................................................................................................... 2
EVACUATION .................................................................................................................................... 3
Evacuation Updates ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
General Evacuation Advice ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Are there any Evacuation Centres Open?........................................................................................................................... 3
FOOD ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Food – Spoilage .................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Food – requires food ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
INTERPRETER .................................................................................................................................. 3
Require Interpreter .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
MEDIA ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Media Enquiry ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
ROADS .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Road openings/closures information ................................................................................................................................... 5
Reports of Road damage .................................................................................................................................................... 5
RUBBISH AND DEBRIS .................................................................................................................... 5
Asbestos ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Will Council pick up iron, fences and other rubbish? ........................................................................................................... 5
Wheelie bin collection ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
SAND-BAGGING ............................................................................................................................... 5
Require sandbags ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
SERVICES ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Schools ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Airport / Seaport .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Shops .................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
TREES DOWN ................................................................................................................................... 6
Life threatening (eg. on power lines) ................................................................................................................................... 6
Roof or home damage (eg. water entering property and requiring tarp) ............................................................................. 6
No Damage – trees from Council property .......................................................................................................................... 6
No Damage – trees from own property ............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
VEGETATION – see TREES DOWN ................................................................................................. 6
Vegetation (Green Waste) in my property – after a Cyclone ............................................................................................... 6
Vegetation - Transfer stations ............................................................................................................................................. 6
WATER .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Sewerage in yard/ backing up in house .............................................................................................................................. 6
Drinking Water (eg. Is it ok to drink?) ................................................................................................................................. 6
Flooding information ........................................................................................................................................................... 8
WEATHER ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Weather Warnings .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
WELFARE .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Loss or Damage .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Offers of Assistance ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
CONTACTS ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 1 of 9
2
ANIMALS/ WILDLIFE
Animals – stray / lost
Actions Required
Record details and forward to
Local Laws Department.
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Advise that information will be logged and
passed on to the Local Laws Department, who
will action response.

Advise to contact Fauna Rescue on ???
Wildlife – injured
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephones
Actions Required
Offer latest update
DAMAGE
Roof
Pool Fence - damaged
ELDERLY PEOPLE
Power lines down
No Power (eg. when
will the electricity be
back on?)
Phone Telstra on 13 22 00 or listen to the radio.

Phone Telstra 1300 134 239 to divert home to
mobile.

Refer to Telstra update if applicable
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Call SES on 132 500

It is your responsibility to rectify any damage to
your pool fences as soon as possible to ensure
the safety of your own family and others.

Please remember that most schools and
childcare centres may not be operating, so
children may be around.
Actions Required
Require SES
assistance (eg. tarping,
sandbagging, roof
damage etc)
ELECTRICITY

Actions Required
Advise to call SES
Require assistance
with clean-up or other
support
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Advise to call SES on 132 500

Record details

Are they on a vulnerable
persons list?
Actions Required
Ring Ergon 13 22 96
Advise that information will be logged and
passed on DCC Officers, who may forward
details onto volunteers.
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Do not attempt to clean-up

Assume all powerlines are ‘live’ and stay away

Refer to Update for information or advice to
listen to radio

If possible you can also check the Ergon Storm
Centre website for regular updates at
www.ergon.com.au/Storm_Centre
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 2 of 9
3
EVACUATION
Evacuation Updates
General Evacuation
Advice
Are there any
Evacuation Centres
Open?
Actions Required
Offer latest advice
Listen to local radio for updates

Unless you have been advised to evacuate…
ALWAYS Stay inside and keep yourself and your
family calm.

Information regarding a declared evacuation will
be broadcast on local radio.

Pay attention to all warnings and evacuation
orders.

Severe cyclones carry a risk of storm surge and
those residents located in storm surge
vulnerability areas are strongly recommended to
make pre-arrangements with friends or relatives
located in “safer/higher places” outside these
areas, if the need to evacuate arises.

Council has an identified list of evacuation
centres, for those people with no alternatives
and they will be activated if the need arises.
Keep in mind these public evacuation centres
are buildings designed for other purposes and
will not allow animals, alcohol or weapons.

Turn off the electricity, gas and water services
and lock up your dwelling. Take your emergency
kit with you.

Listen to your radio for further advice.

If you live in low-lying area, for example the
Northern Beaches area or CBD, you should
make pre-arrangements with friends or relatives
in higher areas, in the event of an evacuation.
Offer instructions
Check whiteboards & offer
latest advice
FOOD
Food spoilage
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Actions Required
Check update (whiteboard)
Requires food
INTERPRETER
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Advise if any disposals sites

Council may arrange special pickups for those
people who have large amounts of spoiled food.

“If in doubt – throw it out”

For more info contact Qld Health on
Ph.
13 HEALTH (Ph. 13 43 25 84) cost of local call

Or call CRC’s Public Health Unit on 4044 3404

Advise of Department of Communities recovery
hotline 1800 440 074 or 13 13 04
Actions Required

Require Interpreter
Advise to contact
Translating and
Interpreting Services
(TIS) on 131 450

24 hours – 7 days a week

Non-English speaking
people who need an
interpreter to
communicate with the
Instructions to Callers / Advice
To call TIS National dial - 131 450
and follow these instructions:

Tell the operator the language you speak and
they will try to get you an interpreter.

Tell the interpreter you want to speak to the
Cairns Regional Council’s Disaster Coordination
unit on 4044 3377.

The operator will connect you and the Interpreter
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 3 of 9
4
Cairns Regional Council
can use this service for
free. If you need an
interpreter and have
questions about any
cyclone related issues,
you can use this service
to communicate with
Council staff on your
behalf.
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
to someone you can speak to in the Disaster
Coordination Unit.
Page 4 of 9
5
MEDIA
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Media Enquiry
Refer to Media Liaison Officer

ROADS
Road
openings/closures
information
Reports of Road
damage
RUBBISH AND
DEBRIS
Actions Required
Refer to current update.
Record details on msg form
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Listen to radio for update information.

STATE ROADS - call Main Roads on 13 19 40
or website www.mainroads.qld.gov.au or
www.131940.com

Or call RACQ on 1300 130 595 or via RACQ
website at www.racq.com.au
Will be logged and passed on to DCC Officers
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice

If you find any damaged Asbestos Sheeting
please contact a local accredited asbestos
removal and treatment company.

Businesses - Call WH&S Hotline 1800 177 717
or 1300 369 915

Residences – Call Qld Health 1300 744 636
Asbestos
Will Council pick up
iron, fences and other
rubbish?
Refer to current update
Wheelie bin collection
Refer to current update.
SAND-BAGGING
Require sandbags
SERVICES
No, Council will collect green waste only. Arrange
for other debris to be picked up by a private
contractor, arrange a Skip bin or take it to the
nearest transfer station.
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Alternatively sandbags may be purchased from
local raw materials suppliers (advise to call first
to check availability)

Alternatively SES depots have loose sand &
bags for public to fill up themselves (see
CONTACTS)
Advise to call SES 132 500
Actions Required
Schools
Refer to update or advise to
listen to local radio
Airport / Seaport
Refer to update or advise to
listen to local radio
No staff should offer comment to the media
unless directed by the Media Liaison officer or
CEO.
Give out Media Liaison’s mobile number or take
a message on message form.
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Page 5 of 9
6
Shops
TREES DOWN
Life threatening (eg. on
power lines)
Refer to update or advise to
listen to local radio
Actions Required
 Record details
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Do not attempt to remove or clean up the vegetation.
 Also advise of Ergon
emergency number
13 22 96
 Advise to call 000 if
required
 Contact SES on 132 500
Roof or home damage
(eg. water entering
property and requiring
tarp)
No Damage – trees
from Council property
VEGETATION – see
TREES DOWN
Vegetation (Green
Waste) in my property
– after a Cyclone
 Record details
 Cairns Regional Council will arrange for these
trees to be removed. Your request will be logged
and crews will get to each situation when they
can.
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice
If applicable – Kerbside Pick-up Instructions:
In some instances, Council
will do a kerbside pick-up.
Please stack the vegetation neatly out the front of
your property.
Refer to current update.
Removal Procedures
Do not place vegetation:
Transfer stations
WATER
Refer to update

Near or against electricity poles and substations;

Over or near fire hydrants and water valves on
the verges / footpaths (in case of a house fire);

Near street intersections where it may block safe
pedestrian access and traffic sight lines;

On traffic lanes on the roads;

Near bus stops and similar high use locations;

In drains or gutters where this may cause
flooding.
Advise of transfer station opening times (refer to
update).
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Sewerage in yard/
backing up in house
Record details
Cairns Water is working at restoring services. Your
request will be logged and prioritised.
Drinking Water (eg. Is
it ok to drink?)
Refer to update
If “Boil Water Notice” has been issued – you must
boil water for at least 1 minute
(eg. Boil water notice etc)
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 6 of 9
7
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 7 of 9
8
Flooding information
WEATHER
Record Details on msg form

Advise to stay out of flood waters

If assistance is required from SES advise to call
132 500
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice
Listen to your radio for regular updates or
Weather Warnings
Refer to current update
Bureau of Meteorology contact:
Telephone WARNINGS
Topical Cyclones
1300 659 212
Severe Weather & Thunderstorms
/Flood (land based)
1300 659 219
Marine (Coastal Waters)
1300 360 427
Website – www.bom.gov.au
Local Area Forecasts (Cairns - 40c / call)
phone 1196
WELFARE
Actions Required
Instructions to Callers / Advice

Loss or Damage
Offers of Assistance
Also refer to current update
For those who are in need of welfare assistance,
please call Department of Communities recovery
hotline 1800 440 074 or 13 13 04
Money / Goods / Volunteers
Call Red Cross
Volunteering Queensland
CONTACTS
Emergencies
Police / Ambulance / Fire
Bureau of Meteorology
Weather by Fax
000
Tropical Cyclone Threat Maps
1902 935 277
Tropical Cyclone Warnings
1902 935 278
Flood warnings
1902 935 065
Telephone WARNINGS
Topical Cyclones
1300 659 212
Severe Weather & Thunderstorms
/Flood (land based)
1300 659 219
Marine (Coastal Waters)
1300 360 427
Website – www.bom.gov.au
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 8 of 9
9
Local Area Forecasts ( 40c / call) phone 1196
Airport
4052
Department of Communities
Hotline – 1800 440 074
Disaster Coordination Centre Phone Line
Ergon
13 22 96
Volunteering Queensland
Wildlife Rescue
Home Assistance
Main Roads Department
Other Councils
Queensland Government Departments
13 13 04
RACQ Road Report
1300 130 595 or www.racq.com.au
Main Roads 131940
13 19 40
Radio Stations

Tune into your local radio station for
regular updates
State Emergency Service
132 500
The number residents need to call for assistance from the SES
during an emergency.
SES Local Groups
Do not direct members of the public to
these numbers. For staff reference only.
Members of public to use 132 500.
Disaster Coordination Centre - Frequently Asked Questions
Page 9 of 9