Cassowary Coast Regional Council has won the Local Government Mutual Services Risk Excellence Award for its Flash Flood Sensor Network. The radar sensors monitor water levels at known flood-prone locations across the region. Readings feed into the Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard, where residents, emergency services and Council can view local conditions. The network has already helped police and State Emergency Service personnel monitor conditions around Mission Beach. Council is running a three-year trial to verify the sensor readings and assess the system's effectiveness.
Dongara beautician Jemma Woodmore has spearheaded a bushfire preparation day for women after friends called her, unsure what to do during a blaze. Ms Woodmore said women often miss out on firefighting advice in male-dominated spaces, and she has since joined the volunteer fire brigade. Irwin resident Freya Smyth attended the workshop after a 2024 fire came within 300 metres of her home. Local emergency services manager Mick Antony said the event covered evacuation plans, extinguisher use and keeping identification ready. He urged residents to plan escape routes and use the Emergency WA app during fires.
Bushfires could cost Australia $181.7 billion over the next 30 years, according to economic modelling released by Emergency Leaders for Climate Action. The study found the losses would average $6 billion a year as fires become more frequent and intense. Reducing bushfire damage by one fifth could prevent $39.4 billion in losses, researchers said. Recommended measures include upgrading homes to the national bushfire standard, early-detection technology and back-up power for mobile phone towers. Co-author Janice Lee said the estimates were conservative.
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Residents of the City of Moreton Bay are being encouraged to get disaster ready ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. Mayor Peter Flannery said prepared households help whole communities grow stronger, and urged residents to know their neighbours and check on vulnerable people. The council provides emergency resources including Moreton Alert and the Disaster Dashboard. It is also progressing planning for a purpose-built Operations Centre, with the first stage of business case work expected to finish by the end of the year.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the government should block the broadcast or live stream of a US military execution, calling it barbaric. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed, comparing it to a Roman amphitheatre and saying it should not be watched. The government was less clear on whether the stream should be banned. In Parliament, small business minister Anne Aly was questioned by the Coalition about when she learned the ATO would ban credit card payments. Aly said she found out at the same time as the public.
Joel Orchard, of Wardell, has been named Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year. The awards are now in their 20th year and are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering.
Port Stephens, Maitland and Dungog councils are teaming up with emergency services to help residents prepare for floods, fires, storms and other disasters. The Emergency Management and Community Resilience Expo will be held at the Maitland Showgrounds, with more than 25 emergency and government organisations attending. Visitors can join family-friendly activities, live demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions. Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson said emergencies do not stop at council borders and urged residents to attend. The free event runs on 14 November from 9am to 2pm, with live entertainment and food available.
