Natural disaster management response
Aims and overview
Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit far North Queensland in December 2023, causing an extraordinary flooding event, leading to large-scale isolation, widespread power outages and significant impacts to industry and community.
Eastern Kuku Yalanji (EKY) Rangers had undertaken disaster management planning and were prepared to respond to assist Wujal Wujal and surrounding communities affected by flooding.
Activities and outcomes
Over a six month period after Cyclone Jasper, EKY Rangers undertook many activities to support the communities of Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, Mossman and Cairns.
Rangers assisted in the large-scale clean-ups of communities, including removal of damaged household goods from flooded homes in Wujal Wujal and Mossman, and transporting undamaged belongings to temporary accommodations. They were involved in two remote location ‘muck outs’, helping local council to remove waste from houses.
Rangers organised transport and installation of new white goods into homes in Wujal Wujal and Mossman. They helped with lawn and yard maintenance in Wujal Wujal, around homes and community spaces, including the PCYC and the cemetery. In all, rangers assisted families to return to 80 homes, delivering household goods and basic household items.
EKY Rangers supported the development of an ‘Elders Advisory Group’ to assist in the disaster response for the community and to communicate community needs to state and national agencies. They helped organise and host community meetings and events, including the ‘Wujal Wujal Community Healing Ceremony’ in June 2024, and activity days for men, women and young people.
Rangers also participated in meetings with other stakeholder groups including Cape York Partnerships, Department of Environment and Science, local councils, Wujal Wujal Justice Group, and other local, state, and national agencies.
EKY Rangers organised trips with Traditional Owners (both young and old) to reconnect with country and check on workers. The provided support for Elders through home visits, for a yarn and to check up on them. Rangers also assisted community members with everyday activities including transport to medical appointments, collecting mail, attending meetings and school drop offs and pickups. Rangers supported the community in sorry business, helping with funeral planning for respected Elders, and assisting with catering and transport of community members to the funerals.
Learning and next steps
EKY Rangers gained valuable experience in natural disaster response. Learnings included to focus assistance only in areas aligned with rangers’ skills and capabilities, moving forward with planning and preparation, and the value of ensuring communities have support.
Rangers plan to conduct surveys and help affected communities to be better prepared for disasters; and build rangers’ first response capabilities so that we can play a larger part in recovery efforts in future.