Floods - Leadership - Readiness

The past few weeks have seen devastation of the likes that a number of our generations have never experienced.  Perhaps only the elders of our communities have memories of similar or worse. We have seen the best of our community in their dealing with the challenges that nature has brought us.  There have been many rescuers from many agencies, those dealing with the immediate crisis, SES, Bundaberg Regional Council and our Emergency Services, to those assisting the recovery through co-ordination of accommodation and donation distribution centres, Community Agencies and Charities.  All levels of our Government, Local, State and Federal are responding swiftly and appropriately to support those in genuine need.

 

However we have also seen the worst of some sections of our community whom  are reported to be looting, scamming of furniture and goods though not affected by the floods, and claiming false Centrelink disaster funds applications.  I know that the volunteers and professionals assisting in the recovery are doing their utmost to ensure that only those that genuinely deserve support and assistance receive it.

 

There has also been criticism of some of our Local and State Leaders, Mayor Pyefinch and Premier Bligh for not being around during or after the disaster.  Mayor Pyefinch being in the UK and Premier Bligh going to NSW with our Prime Minister for New Year. It is my belief that in Mayor Pyefinch's case, you can't predict disasters and, at the end of the year everyone deserves a holiday.   The fact that the two coincided is by no way her fault, stuff happens.   I was secure in the knowledge that there are many capable and qualified people in the disaster management area within our community whom swung into action immediately and ensured it all happened as it should. 

 

Part of Good Leadership is about having good people around you, with the delegated authority to act in your abscence. In this case there was Cr. Riccardi and Cr. Batt ensuring that the Bundaberg Regional Council met its immediate response and ongoing responsibilities.  It is my conjecture that surely through our modern communications, that through the phone and internet they would have been in contact with the Mayor on an ongoing basis.

 

Yes the aftermath of this disaster is wet, smelly and has been horrific at all personal, family, business and community levels, and it will take some time to see the semblance of normality.  I do believe that as Australians we will all overcome this adversity all in our own personally or collective time.  However not to be a doom sayer, its not over yet, the main part of our wet season is yet to be upon us.   Hayden Walker, long range weather forecaster,  forecast this event, and more, over two months ago at a meeting I attended in Bundaberg.  He stated that this would be 'the' wettest period we have seen.  Including 5 to 6 cyclones.  This has been backed up by the official Weather Bureau.  The Bureau have stated this week that in 30 days(or so) the same system that brought the floods will return.

 

So with the ground saturated, the rivers swollen and the 'wet' yet to really do its stuff, we had better be ready.  I am sure that our Leadership, at all levels,  will certainly be aware of this and are making their plans to ensure a swift reaction, and so should every individual, family, business and communities in our region.

 

This is my personal view.

 

Mal