State’s first livestock severe weather plan launched during Get Ready Queensland Week

Devastating flooding in central and western Queensland has led to the creation of the state’s first Livestock Severe Weather Emergency Plan to help Queensland primary producers prepare for disaster events and gain greater weather resilience.

The plan has been developed by Get Ready Queensland, the Queensland Government’s lead program for disaster preparedness, in close consultation with industry, councils, Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Rural Aid.

Launched today at the Blackall Cattle Sales as part of Get Ready Queensland Week, the Livestock Severe Weather Emergency Plan is a comprehensive, step-by-step solution to get producers, their property, livestock and business, disaster ready.

The plan has information, guidance and prompts on:

  • Designing an individualised severe weather emergency plan
  • Understanding risk, preparing a property, and packing an emergency kit
  • Emergency contacts, alerts, and what to do during and after severe weather

Major floods in 2023 proved the catalyst for Boulia Shire Council to commence discussions with Get Ready Queensland to develop a severe weather emergency plan tailored to local producers.

The plan has been guided by extensive research to ensure its approach was cohesive, efficient and fit-for-purpose for Queensland producers.

By making a Livestock Severe Weather Emergency Plan, producers are likely to see a reduction in the time it takes to get their property and business up and running again following a severe weather event.

Producers can download the Livestock Severe Weather Emergency Plan at www.getready.qld.gov.au/plan.

Get Ready Queensland Week is an annual reminder for Queenslanders to prepare for the impacts of extreme weather, and is happening in 2024 between 8-13 October.

The Get Ready Queensland program is managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the state’s lead agency for disaster recovery and resilience, and is strengthened by the support of major partner Suncorp.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd):

"Queensland's hard working primary producers see the impacts of a changing climate and increasingly unpredictable weather every day," Mr Ellwood said.

“While rain and floods play an important role in sustaining agricultural productivity, they can also have devastating effects.

“Central Queensland producers remember the 2019 floods that resulted in the loss of 500,000 cattle and thousands of sheep and other livestock, and during the 2023-24 disaster season I saw firsthand the impacts bushfires, floods, cyclones and storms had on our state’s livestock industry and wider ag sector.

“The Livestock Severe Weather Emergency Plan will be a valuable business tool for farmers, and this Get Ready Queensland Week I encourage all primary producers to visit the Get Ready Queensland website and put their emergency plan in place.”  

Quotes attributable to Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Mayor Andrew Martin:

“Most people, rightly, think of themselves, their families and their communities in emergencies, but livestock producers, who happen to be the backbone of all western communities, have an added duty, and that is to their major income source, their animals,” Cr Martin said.

“We must be prepared for every disaster, including heatwaves, floods, fires, and even extreme winter weather that has often included sleet, particularly in the middle of a drought.

“The plan is aimed at livestock producers and those natural disaster threats we have to our community’s ongoing generation of wealth.

“I thoroughly commend QRA and all those who helped in formulating this plan, and recommend it to everyone, not only livestock producers.”

Quotes attributable to Suncorp Chief Executive Consumer Insurance Lisa Harrison:

“Suncorp is proud to have been the major program partner of Get Ready Queensland since 2020, and our ongoing investment recognises the importance of this community initiative,” Ms Harrison said.

“We know how volatile this state’s weather can be, which is why we support the promotion of good disaster preparation practices that will help build our collective resilience and lessen the devastating impacts of disaster events.

“Take the time this Get Ready Queensland Week to check your insurance and get your disaster planning in place. It’s never too early to Get Ready for extreme weather.”

More information:

Get Ready Queensland is a year-round, all hazards, resilience building initiative of the Queensland Government to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

Queenslanders are encouraged to use this week to prepare for the upcoming disaster season by taking the 3 Steps to Get Ready:

  1. Understand your risk – Everyone’s disaster risk is different. Knowing what your personal risks are will help you best prepare for severe weather and will reduce the impacts on your family and property.  
  2. Have a plan – Make a household emergency plan so your family knows what to do and who to contact in times of disaster. It will give you peace of mind knowing important information is accessible and in one place.
  3. Pack a kit – Grab a few extra items for an emergency kit next time you’re out shopping. Store your kit somewhere safe so you have it stocked and ready if the weather turns bad.

To find out more on how to Get Ready, visit www.getready.qld.gov.au