Mayor Jenny Hill inspects progress on $5.7 million new Local Disaster Coordination Centre
Date published: 4 May 2018
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Craig Crawford today visited construction on the $5.7 million new Townsville Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC).
Townsville City Council contributed $3.8 million towards the LDCC and the project also received $1.9 million in funding from the joint Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Resilience Program. The project – awarded to local firm Jackson Semler – will create up to 100 jobs over the life of the project before it is scheduled to be complete in September.
The new LDCC will be rated to withstand a Category 5 Cyclone, allowing the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group to lead the coordination of any emergency response for the city.
Cr Hill said the coordination centre – being built at Dalrymple Rd – will be tailored to manage the local responses before, during and after a disaster.
“The new coordination centre will have back up power and water supply – enough to be self-sufficient for several days – and allow all agencies needed to manage a disaster to be in the same room working throughout the event,” Cr Hill said.
“There will also be major IT and communications upgrades included in the new coordination centre, ensuring the most up-to-date information can be provided to the community.
“The old coordination centre at Bamford Lane is only rated to withstand a Category 3 Cyclone.”
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the new Local Disaster Coordination Centre would enhance the ability of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and the Local Disaster Management Group to collaborate during a disaster.
Mr Crawford said QFES would have an Emergency Management Coordinator and liaison officers embedded in the LDCC assisting to implement disaster planning before, during and after a disaster.
“The modern facility will be equipped with technology that will streamline information sharing between QFES’ Regional Operations Centre and the LDCC, ensuring all parties are provided with up-to-date and accurate information,” Mr Crawford said.
“North Queensland is no stranger to natural disasters – especially cyclones – so it’s important that QFES can effectively collaborate with other agencies and the Local Disaster Management Group to ensure the best possible outcome for the community.
“QFES spends a lot of time training, preparing and collaborating with other agencies, including local government, to ensure that its personnel are prepared and well-practiced in disaster response.
“QFES has a fantastic relationship with the Local Disaster Management Group and this facility will ensure we continue to work together, putting the community first.”
The LDCC building will also house the North Queensland Regional Data Centre.
The energy-efficient Tier 3 managed data centre will allow global companies such as banks, information technology and knowledge services companies to locate facilities and the North.
