The Results are in! So how did we do on the Cassowary Coast???

1. The Results are in! So how did we do on the Cassowary Coast???

2. Congratulations to ALL residents on the Cassowary Coast and thank you for your participation in an Australian First! The ‘Together We’re Stronger!’ Project, for the first time gives us both the statistics AND the background to help showcase how a resilient and strong community is able to work together following a major natural disaster!

3. How was the project delivered? • The Together We’re Stronger project used three main initiatives to deliver the outcomes • One – The development of a survey as a prerequisite to get a Household Preparedness and Resilience Pack • Two – The rollout of a Business Support Project bringing together major retail outlets and smaller businesses which later became the community outlet for the Packs • Three– a world-first fully interactive Preparedness website designed specifically for residents of the Cassowary Coast

4. Your Say – Your Feedback The following slideshow is designed to report back to residents of the Cassowary Coast your results, feedback and responses to the first regional survey conducted in Australia on how prepared we are and your messages on what needs to be done.

5. An Unprecedented Study! • Over a period of 14 months, the Cassowary Coast Regional Council has been gathering your feedback, ideas and suggestions on Preparedness through the Community Development Officer (CDO) initiative. • CDO – Disaster Preparedness Officer Greg Cornelder has attended over 30 community markets, events and forums over this time to listen and develop a project that delivers what the community wants – answers and tools. • During rollout of the Together We’re Stronger initiative, a further 22 Disaster Prep Stands were established throughout the campaign across the region complimented by a series, print advertising in local newspapers, almost daily radio ads on local radio station 4KZ, 4 TV News stories, a 10-minute state-wide story on 730 Qld, 3 feature articles on ABC radio and 22 live-to-air radio interviews on 4KZ during the campaign.

6. What And Who? This project was made possible through funding provided under the community development and recovery package, which is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. Funding for the Disaster Preparedness role expires on June 30th, 2013 however existing resources made available through this funding for the Together We’re Stronger initiative will be managed through Disaster Management at the Cassowary Coast Regional Council as part of Councils’ commitment to supporting the community in Preparedness.

7. Markets and Community Events – Your Feedback

8. So what were the most common messages? It is estimated that approximately 10 000 residents attended the Disaster Prep stand over 14 months – put another way, over one third of the total population of the Cassowary Coast … with so many people it is impossible to capture every comment, however the 5 most frequent messages presented have been collated as follows …

9. Evacuation Centres • Over the 14 months of engagement throughout the community at market days, community events, community groups, volunteer groups, business groups and special events, the highest rating comment related to confusion over where to evacuate to. • Predominantly across the hardest-hit communities from Mission Beach and South to Cardwell, including Kennedy, Tully Heads, Hull Heads South Mission Beach, Euramo and Murray Upper, many expressed that they were unsure as to where Evacuation Centres would be and where they are able to evacuate to.

10. Flood Mapping and Storm Surge • Through the engagement process, the majority of residents indicated that they were aware of their zoning and storm surge impact. • However, this was inconsistent with the results from the surveys showing that almost 40% of respondents were unaware as to whether their home was in either a storm surge or flood affected area.

11. Insurance • A key issue highlighted has been the ongoing increase in costs of Household and Business insurance. Across the region many have discussed this issue and ranks as the third highest issue raised at the Disaster Preparedness Stand. • Attempts to address this were only realized through requesting attendance in the community by the Insurance Council which enabled a total of 16 residents to engage face-to-face following the insurance roadshow event on the Atherton Tablelands.

12. Feeling “Left Out” • A large number of respondents stated they feel they have been left out or ignored. Often times, the stress of the aftermath and the months of rebuilding can be far worse than the event itself, leading to ongoing strains in relationships, prolonged waiting periods and anger. • Certainly as a focal point the Disaster Preparedness Stand has attracted a very high number of residents with very good reason to take the opportunity to express these emotions which have assisted in generating a range of projects and recommendations for further support and ways in which to address important issues.

13. “We Know What We’re Doing” • The fifth highest feedback across the region was the overall confidence in every community that as a region we are very prepared and very experienced in dealing with natural disasters. • Consistently across the region, residents brought with them stories and ideas which they found worked. This feedback was amongst the most valuable and created the idea for the Disaster Prepared Information Hub as an online resource for residents and visitors alike.

14. The Survey • In total, 2400 Household Preparedness and Resilience packs were distributedthroughout the Cassowary Coast with 1784 surveys completed. Overall, this approximates to one household in every 5-6 … an incredible response! • WHY was it compulsory to complete a survey to get a pack? Because for the first time, our region had a unique opportunity not just to provide free resources through the State and Federal Community Development Engagement Initiative which the community identified a need for but we also had the opportunity to accurately capture both strengths and gaps for future work for our region.

15. What Were We Asked? Four questions which gave an amazing insight into the region! 1. Have you already prepared an emergency kit and resources for each member of your household to last 5 days or more? 2. As a household, have you planned to evacuate if faced with a Cat 3 storm or larger? 3. At present on a scale of 1 (unprepared) to 10 (completely prepared) how would you rate your household level of preparedness? 4. Are you aware if your home is in either a storm surge or flood affected area?

16. How Did We Respond? It is important to note in the findings of the survey key issues: • Participation was entirely voluntary, and therefore only residents who chose to engage received their packs … this resulted in around 1/5 – 1/6 of householders in the region informing the project. • Importantly, those who chose to engage are also likely to be those more prepared or willing to ensure they access information for preparedness, which therefore raises questions as to the remaining populations’ level of preparedness and how to engage others in the community. • This project is a pilot – therefore no body of evidence exists prior to this around our region and preparedness. The results of this project are therefore critical in developing a snapshot of the region and provide the base for future work.

17. Graphic Data Finally, the most graphic outcome of the survey results is through the self-rating question asking respondents to rate their household levels of preparedness. The results can be seen clearly in a comparison between the most prepared respondents and those who are least prepared. Remember ratings go from 1-10, least prepared to most prepared!

19. Emphasizing the point! • The diagram above clearly illustrates how prepared households are able to confidently and accurately rate their levels of preparedness. • The diagram below, conversely, accurately depicts how householders who are completely unprepared are unable to assess their ratings and illustrates the clear difference between a well prepared household and those who are at greatest risk in a natural disaster. • VERY IMPORTANTLY - the diagram above represents13%of respondents to the survey on the Cassowary Coast (237 respondents), while the diagram below represents 11% of respondents to the survey (211 respondents). WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER BE?

20. The Good News! • On average, 1 in 6 householders completed the survey across the region • 60% of the respondents stated they were aware if they are in a flood or storm surge affected area. • Around 50% of respondents stated they had packed an emergency kit • Around 50% of respondents indicated they plan to evacuate if faced with a Cat 3 or larger • On average, a quarter of respondents stated they are 80% prepared. • Over the past 2 months, uptake of the Disaster Prepared Information Hub has doubled. • Almost unanimous support across the business sector for the Business Support Project • All three projects a first in the region and providing an accurate snapshot in overall preparedness levels across the Cassowary Coast.

21. The Not-So Good News! • 11% of respondents are at highest risk, being unaware of their flood or storm surge status, not planning to evacuate and have not prepared an emergency kit. • 40% of respondents are unaware of their flood or storm surge status • Most uptake of the Disaster Prepared information Hub comes from outside the region • Very low response rates to the evaluation survey across all sectors of the business community indicating strongly fatigue and stress amongst business owners and operators. • Strong concerns by the community on support in times of disaster in 5 distinct areas.

22. The Business Support Campaign • In total, the project promoted 46 local businesses and retailers across the region in print media, radio advertising and on the internet as well as a number of television news stories over the 10 week project. • Exposure to local retailers, large and small was maximised through as many physical displays as well to assist in delivery of a public education campaign and to raise awareness of the importance of Preparing early.

23. Business Support Outcomes • Local Business operators were invited to join throughout the campaign and provided with free advertising and promotion – the aim of which was to assist in exposure and generate increased business. • While many businesses reported the campaign supported their business, few had time to complete a follow-up evaluation. Two local businesses closed over this quarter, and many continue to struggle, evidencing the long-term impact across the region for businesses owners and operators in many industries.

24. Together We’re Stronger Information Hub • Designed to meet the identified needs of residents, the Hub was developed to provide the facility for residents to access and share ideas on Preparedness as well as act as an online resource for a wealth of information identified through the 14-month consultation. • Since Launch to May 9th, 8202 hits have been recorded on the hub, many of which originating from as far afield as the US, Canada, Europe and Indonesia, and a large number from interstate. Unfortunately, however the facility for residents to pass comment, provide feedback and connect through this medium has been greatly under-utilised by residents, demonstrating this is not a preferred medium for the community as a whole to connect.

25. Our very own Disaster Preparedness Website! Available under the Disaster info tab on Councils’ homepage.

26. Lessons Learnt • As with any new initiative, untried and untested, it is critical to review results and learn from successes and challenges – this project is no different! • Positive outcomes stemming from the initiative are almost too numerous to mention, however some key facets to delivery can be listed as follows …

27. Physical Resources • The project successfully delivered 2400 Preparedness and Resilience Packs to residents across the region. Contained in these, the most useful items reported were the USB Wristbands and contents, the Fridge magnets and the Document Wallets. • Least useful items noted by recipients were the enviro-pens, however many stated they liked the calico bags.

28. Website • As already indicated, there has been little to no take-up of the inclusion on the Disaster Prepared Information Hub of the facility to share and exchange ideas through this medium. • However, the hub has had extraordinarily high visitation across the globe and interstate … unfortunately the communities of the Cassowary Coast region for which it has been designed based on community feedback has been lower than anticipated but still well-utilised.

29. Business Support • A far higher than anticipated number of businesses and retailers joined the promotional campaign and in follow-up reported that the project had been successful and useful with many commenting they would likely become involved again in future. • Many businesses however continue to struggle in the current climate and are themselves still recovering from the impacts of Yasi as demonstrable from the very low evaluation response rates.

30. Surveys • An overwhelming number of completed surveys were completed which provided a critical insight into our community, both with regards to the current high levels of readiness and preparedness across the region, and also significant gaps for future work. • Two key areas in which the survey could be improved were: • Requesting as part of the survey a postcode to assist in understanding those communities awareness of flood/ storm surge and preparedness; and • Slightly modifying the wording of the questions to add further to clarity of the information sought. • Finally, some residents declined to participate on the basis that they did not wish to complete the survey to receive their pack.

31. Recommendations of the Project • The Together We’re Stronger project, while immensely successful, carries with it a number of areas requiring correction and modification – the highlighted gaps in this presentation have been formalized in recommendations to Council for further improvement. • Importantly, however it is critical to note that as a region, we are the first to have completed such a study, and therefore have set a platform and snapshot of the region for the future. To correctly assess how we are progressing requires time and the project to be re-run for at least the next two years.

32. A Huge Thank you • The success of this project relied upon the participation of individuals, businesses, residents, and many others and support of you, the residents of our region …. Thank you! • Please remember that Disasters can occur at any time of year, not just in the wet, and therefore being prepared year-round is everyone’s responsibility. • Please take the time to plan and prepare early and use the free resources available to help keep us all safe. • For more information on Preparedness or to raise questions or provide feedback, please log on and register through the Together We’re Stronger hub, available on the Cassowary Coast Regional Council website under Disaster Information.