Mayor issues a warning
TOWNSVILLE is braced for Category 3 destructive winds with the 50km eye of Tropical Cyclone Debbie predicted to slam into the coast near Ayr tomorrow.
Mayor Jenny Hill, chair of the local disaster management group, yesterday warned of a “level of complacency”.
“Hopefully that attitude will change as locals see the weather change,’’ she said.
“It’s our job to make sure everyone is prepared.’’
Australian Defence Force yesterday deployed a taskforce of engineers, medics, and soldiers to help “save human life” and support disaster crews in North Queensland.
Townsville’s 3rd Brigade commander Brigadier Chris Field, who heads 3000 troops, said diggers will be tasked to the centres of Rockhampton, Mackay, Ayr, Townsville, Bowen and Charters Towers.
“We know North Queenslanders are already very resilient and we’ll help build on that resilience,’’ Brigadier Field said. “The ADF taskforce response to Tropical Cyclone Debbie is to save human life, alleviate human suffering and prevent loss or damage to property. This will be as required and to support local and state services. It will be for a finite time in the recovery phase.
“We will focus on the big picture. We don’t want to be taking work away from local trades and businesses. And whatever we do will be in support of other disaster response efforts.”