14/08/2024
One of our SP locals attended the Byron Resilience Network meeting in July.
She reports there were two presentations of interest:
Dept of Communities and Justice reps gave a comprehensive explanation of their areas of responsibility as a response agency. Evacuation centres are announced at the time of an emergency and depending on the nature of the emergency. The location is decided specifically to be a place of safety and of last resort.
They work closely with Combat agencies such as the Rural Fire Brigade and are responsible for welfare of both people and companion animals at the shelters and, if needed, transport of people away from danger and to return people home following an evacuation.
Shane Melotte, the Byron Shire Council Sustainability Team Leader, gave a talk about climate change and the heat mapping project. Temperatures are forecast to increase in our region and there is a lot of work being done in the field of national heat vulnerability (UNSW) 30 degs plus humidity.
Call for BOM to collect better data as currently it comes only from Cape Byron.
Planning ideas were: early heatwave warnings, extended library hours during heatwaves, bubblers in more places, more trees planted for shade, free access to swimming pools.
It was pointed out that it is likely that heatwaves come with FIRES.
