At last week’s meeting Councillor John Tramby put forward a notice of motion for a warden system to be developed for the flood prone areas of the township and immediate surrounding urban areas.
Cr Tramby believes the primary role of the warden system would be to inform residents, in the first instance, the possibility that their residence may be flood affected.
“The idea is that every flood prone area is broken into streets and given a warden. The warden then has a folder with maps and information which they can use to door-knock to warn residents. They can also co-ordinate people who want to help by giving them jobs and putting them to good use,” Cr Tramby said.
The first thing that needs to be done, according to Cr Tramby, is to identify flood prone areas and create folders that will contain street maps and specific information to that particular area, along with previous flood information.
The folders will be kept at the local SES headquarters ready to be given to the wardens when needed.
Cr Tramby said the folders would be useful for when SES and volunteer workers flew in for such events as it would contain all the local information they needed.
The next step in developing this system would be council conducting meetings with residents of the flood affected areas to choose the wardens and supporters of each street or section.
“Since February I’ve had people telling me stories of their neighbours and friends helping other people so I don’t believe finding a warden for the streets will be hard at all. They can volunteer or be nominated by anyone,” he said.
The chosen wardens would have the responsibility of door-knocking on his or her chosen streets, co-ordinating residents who are willing to help do jobs like lifting furniture or moving cars to higher grounds, and identifying those who need help.
“The warden would also be able to close the road they are responsible for to minimise the sightseeing traffic and bow motion that causes houses and roads much pain,” Cr Tramby said.
Councillor Claudia Gall agreed with Cr Tramby’s motion saying it was a common-sense approach.
Cr Gall said it was frustrating people became so reliant on the Bureau of Meteorology during floods.
“They’re not God,” she said.
Mayor Katrina Humphries said for this plan to work pressure needed to be placed on officials.
“We have got to be strong,” she said.
General manager David Aber said before anything, a review of the flood plan and measures needed to take place.
“We don’t want to get the community theory that council is going to save them,” Mr Aber said.
“We’re not the only ones who provide support,” he said.
Neighbours help neighbours.”
Cr Tramby hopes the plan will be operational by October this year.