A Minute With The Mayor Ry Collins

During the recent extreme weather event, our Whitsunday community once again demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to each other’s safety.

From Council staff and emergency services to volunteers and neighbours looking out for one another, this response showcased the true strength of our Whitsunday community.

When severe weather and flooding impact our region, it takes a coordinated effort from many dedicated staff working behind the scenes and on the ground to keep our community safe and services running smoothly.

Responding to such events requires long hours, teamwork, and quick decision-making to manage the challenges that arise. Even a ‘small’ event takes a huge amount of effort.

As Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, I saw firsthand the coordinated efforts of Council, emergency services, and volunteers.

Our teams worked tirelessly monitoring roads, maintaining public facilities, and providing constant updates through the Disaster Dashboard.

We’re also grateful to our Police, SES, and first responders, who worked in tough conditions to assist those in need.

Council has been categorized as an affected area for NDRRA disaster relief funding, helping us secure resources for recovery and repairs.

I will continue advocating for federal and state funding to address ongoing road and flooding issues so we can build a more resilient region.

As conditions improve, Council crews are out fixing damage, repairing potholes, and restoring public spaces.

Thank you to everyone who stepped up—we are stronger together.

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