Cook Shire Council has announced the engagement of external consultancy, Strategic Disaster Solutions, to conduct a thorough review and develop an action report on the council’s response and recovery efforts following Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The Council says the decision to commission an independent review underscores its unwavering commitment to transparency, civic responsibility, and accountability to its constituents.
“In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, it’s imperative for us to assess our response comprehensively. We owe it to our community to ensure that we learn from this experience and continually improve our disaster preparedness and response capabilities,” said Council CEO, Brian Joiner.
Mr Joiner said the review will entail “an exhaustive evaluation” of the Council’s response actions and recovery initiatives undertaken post-cyclone.
Strategic Disaster Solutions will collaborate closely with the Council’s Disaster Management Team, engage with various agencies, key stakeholders, and importantly, the affected communities, he said.
“Their objective is to identify areas of success, pinpoint shortcomings, and provide actionable recommendations for future enhancements.”
“We are committed to conducting a thorough and transparent review process. The insights gleaned from this exercise will not only inform our future strategies but also serve to strengthen our bonds with the communities we serve,” said Mr Joiner.
To ensure community involvement and feedback, Strategic Disaster Solutions will be hosting debriefing sessions at various locations within the Cook Shire. Residents are being encouraged to participate actively and share their perspectives, concerns, and suggestions.
The sessions are scheduled as follows:
Ayton/Bloomfield Debrief
Date: Saturday, May 11
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Bloomfield Library, Ayton
Rossville Debrief
Date: Sunday, May 12
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Rossville Markets
Cooktown Debrief
Date: Monday, May 13
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Council Chambers, Cooktown
Additionally, a survey has been developed by the consultants, available both online and in hard copy format at the debriefing events, to further capture community input.
The findings and recommendations derived from this review will serve as a roadmap for bolstering Council’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, ensuring the community’s safety and well-being during future adversities, said Mr Joiner.
