As Cairns residents, we know only too well the importance of being prepared for the worst that nature can throw at us. When we are up against elements beyond our control, we put our trust in the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) to provide us clear and confident advice to keep us and our families safe. We rely on that advice and a steady flow of information to make choices that impact our lives and our livelihoods.

When there is a breakdown in that flow of information, or decisions are made without thorough consideration and assessment, it not only puts our community at risk, but it breaks down that all-important element of trust.

There were serious shortcomings in the communication of warnings and advice during Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the major flooding event that followed.

When I called for an independent review of the actions and effectiveness of the LDMG following those events, it was because I wanted to make sure we had the opportunity to make improvements that would allow us to better support our community next time.

And there will be a next time. The price we pay for living in paradise is the ever-looming threat of tropical weather systems. That’s why an effective and competent LDMG is so vital.

For the Unity-led Cairns Regional Council to fully commit to such a review suggests not only that they are content with the poor level of decision-making and communications during the event, but also indicates an aversion to critical assessment and continuous improvement.

We should never settle for the status quo. We should always look for opportunities to learn, to adapt, and to improve in everything we do – particularly when the safety of our community is at stake.

As Mayor, I will introduce a Council policy that will ensure an automatic review of the LDMG’s actions after every future declared natural disaster. This will allow us to keep learning from our experiences and adapt our methods to always strive for best practice.

Here in Cairns, we may be a resilient bunch, but we still need to be able to trust those in power to guide us through the storm and help get us safely to the other side.

Amy Eden, Team Eden Mayoral Candidate, Cairns Regional Council