Redland City Council is stepping up preparations and is urging residents to remain alert and be prepared as the bushfire rating on Redlands Coast remains dangerously high.

Mayor Karen Williams said it was vitally important that residents were prepared should fires ignite.

“Redlands Coast has been spared from major blazes to date but given the current conditions and what we have learnt from past events there is always the potential for fire and I urge residents to be prepared and to not be complacent,” she said.

“Multi-agency firefighting resources and capability on Redlands Coast have been assessed, the Local Disaster Coordination Centre (LDCC) has been prepared and staffing for LDCC and evacuation teams readied.”

Cr Williams said Council was holding a series of community information sessions and distributing fire preparedness information across the city.

“Fire preparedness information leaflets have been distributed to IGAs at Mount Cotton, Redland Bay and Russell Island and SPA Macleay Island,” she said.

“This information will also be made available to local households and at ferry terminals at Toondah Harbour, Victoria Point and Weinam Creek.

“Our island Community Champions have been readied to provide information to the community.

“It is very much a case of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”

Cr Williams said three community information sessions scheduled for this weekend across the Redlands Coast mainland and islands would include bushfire preparedness sessions.

“A local fire ban remains in place for Redlands Coast and the Brisbane region until at least midnight on Sunday, September 15,” she said.

“All permits to light fires previously issued in the area have been cancelled, so this means no open fires.”

Cr Williams said Council had undertaken a systematic program of controlled burns and other actions across the city over winter and spring to reduce fuel loads.

“So far this year there have been 28 controlled burns (120ha), compared to 17 in 2018 (72ha),” she said.

“The fire preparedness budget has been increased significantly and new fire trails added.

Community Information Sessions

North Stradbroke Island open house
Saturday 14 September, 10am to 12pm
Amity Point Community Hall, Ballow Street, Amity Point

Mt Cotton fire preparedness information session (following the Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct Community Information Session)
Sunday 15 September, 12pm to 1pm
Mount Cotton Hall, corner Seaview and Mount Cotton roads

Macleay Island fire preparedness information session
Sunday 15 September, 3pm to 4pm
32 High Central Road, Macleay Island

Tasks you can do today:
• Clear debris from roof gutters
• Clear up your yard
• Create an emergency evacuation kit
• Have a plan for what you would do and where you would go in an emergency
• Get to know who your neighbours are so you can be a source of support for each other in the event of an emergency
• There is great advice about preparing on Council’s Redlands Disaster Plan website: redlandsdisasterplan.com.au
• Keep an eye on Council’s social media – Facebook and Twitter: you don’t need an account

Should a fire take place:
Keep up-to-date and share information with family and friends:
• Redlands Coast disaster website: disaster.redland.qld.gov.au (includes multi-agency and Council twitter feeds and links)
• Council news and twitter are directly accessible from Council’s website: redland.qld.gov.au
• 612 ABC Radio
• Local radio BayFM 100.3
• QFES on Facebook and Twitter
• Rural Fire Service (RFS) website at ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map