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ENDORSEMENT OF NOOSA LOCAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN

Admin and Disaster Mgmt Support Officer, Sue Lowrie · Infrastructure Services Department

Executive summary

• Under the Disaster Management Act 2003 (the Act), local governments are required to develop and regularly review a Local Disaster Management Plan (the Plan) to support effective disaster management within their area. • The last major assessment of the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan was undertaken in 2023. • This review addresses amendments resulting from the machinery of government changes. The Plan’s format has been significantly updated to allow for easier future revisions. A comprehensive review will be conducted following the release of the new State Disaster Management Plan to ensure alignment and consistency. The updated State Plan is expected in the second half of 2026. • This review was completed in consultation with the Emergency Management Coordinator and the Executive Officer to the District Disaster Management Group. • The Plan was reviewed and endorsed by the Noosa Local Disaster Management Group at its meeting in November 2025.

Recommendation

That Council

  1. Note the report by the Disaster Management Officer to the General Committee Meeting dated 19 January 2026
  2. Repeal the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2023; and
  3. Adopt the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2026 as provided at Attachment 1 to the Endorsement of the Noosa Local Disaster Management Plan 2026 report.

Report

Local Disaster Management Plan In accordance with the Disaster Management Act 2003 (the Act), local governments are required to develop and maintain a Local Disaster Management Plan (the Plan) to ensure effective disaster management within their respective areas. The Act further stipulates that the Plan must be reviewed or renewed as deemed appropriate. The current review does not alter the intent or strategic direction of the Plan. Rather, it addresses recent machinery-of-government changes and introduces a significantly updated format designed to facilitate future revisions. This enhancement ensures improved usability and adaptability, making it appropriate for Council to adopt the updated Plan at this time. The updated format will enable easier future amendments and ensure the Plan remains a practical and living document that can be efficiently revised in response to legislative, structural, or operational changes. The Noosa Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) endorsed the 2026 Plan (Attachment 1) at its meeting dated 28 November 2025. It is proposed that the 2026 Plan will commence on 30 January 2026, pending Council adoption on 29 January 2026. It is noted that the next Australian Census is scheduled for August 2026, and the State Disaster Management Plan review is anticipated to be completed in the latter half of 2026. Following these developments, a comprehensive review of the Local Disaster Management Plan will be undertaken to ensure alignment and consistency with updated demographic data and State-level policy frameworks.

Local Disaster Management Operational Subplans The Local Disaster Management Plan incorporates a series of operational subplans that provide detailed guidance on specific functional and hazard-related areas. Responsibility for updating and approving these subplans was delegated to the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) in October 2023. This arrangement enables timely updates and improvements to be implemented as required. The Local Disaster Coordination Centre Subplan was reviewed and updated during 2025 and subsequently endorsed by the LDMG at its ordinary meeting held on 28 November 2025. The current suite of subplans includes: • Bushfire Hazard Specific Subplan • Evacuation Subplan • Financial Management Subplan • HAZMAT Hazard Specific Subplan • Local Disaster Coordination Centre Subplan • Logistics Subplan • Pandemic Hazard Specific Subplan • Public Health & Environment Subplan • Public Information & Warnings Subplan • Severe Wind & Water Inundation Hazard Specific Subplan A systematic approach to reviewing these subplans has been adopted, with progress reported at each LDMG meeting to ensure transparency and accountability.

Recent activities A comprehensive report on disaster management activities is presented to Council for review in September each year, with the previous report considered by Council at its 18 September 2024meeting. In light of recent events, this report provides an opportunity to present a brief snapshot of key activities and funding received since that time:

  1. Funding The ongoing support provided by the State and Federal Governments is formally acknowledged and greatly appreciated. This assistance is critical to enabling effective disaster response and recovery for the Noosa community. During the current year, significant funding contributions have been received, including: •

Tropical Cyclone Alfred – Counter Disaster Operations $153,000 in Counter Disaster Operations funding was provided to support immediate, essential activities undertaken by Council in coordinating the response to ex-TC Alfred along with urgent extraordinary activities (i.e. sandbagging). •

Western Queensland Trough Noosa Council was activated for this event, and the project team have lodged submissions to support the Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets including 11 landslides, 10 drainage structures, 120 gravel and asphalt roads. The program of work is forecasted at a cost of $53,000,000. Council is awaiting final submission acceptance from Queensland Reconstruction Authority. •

Queensland Southern Coast Severe Storms – 24–25 November 2025 Noosa Council was activated for Counter Disaster Operations and Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets to urgently repair/make safe public infrastructure. As clean-up works continue from this event no estimate of the final cost is not yet available. These measures provide valuable support to impacted communities, assisting recovery and restoration efforts. In addition, assistance for affected communities within the Noosa local government area was activated under: Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme o Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme o

  1. Resilience Activities In 2025, the Get Ready program achieved strong community engagement to promote awareness and preparedness. Approximately 6,000 Get Ready packs were distributed through a range of activities, including outreach in local schools, aged care facilities, and the Get Ready Week launch event at Bunnings Noosaville. These initiatives were delivered in collaboration with our Emergency Services partners, ensuring a coordinated approach to building community resilience.

Report details

Index: ECM/Subject/Disaster Management/Local Disaster Management Plan