The Australian Journal of wE?LkL!&Emergency Management Forest damage, Macedon Victoria. Ash Wednesday bushfires 1983.

Drought conditions had persisted in South-eastern Australia for several years with the 1982-83 summer being extremely hot and dr). Many small to moderate bushfires occurred in South Australia and Victoria over this period. By 16 Februay, Ash Wednesda): South Australia and Victoria were tinder dry and fuel loads in lorests were vcry high.

In the 24 hours lollowing that morning, a holocaust olbushfires erupted and in just a lew days burned over 520,000 hectares across the two states. More than 3700 buildings were destroyed. Over 2400 families or individuals lost their homes, while 75 people died. Livestock losses were very high. with over 340.000 sheep and 18,000 cnttlc either dead or having to he destroyed. During that summer, at least a million hectares burncd across South Australia and Victoria.

TTORNEY- i! i! ENEKACS DEPARTMtN 1

Cover: Robyn Calder. Director of the ACT Bushfires RKovery Centre (lanuaq! 2003). - Prnid mlh plmlnlon al rie Canbera ima Contents Vol 18 1 No 1 I February 2003

Please note that contributions to the Australian Journal of Emergency Management are reviewed. Academic papers (denoted by @) are peer reviewed to appropriate academic standards by The Australian independent, qualified experts

1 Journal of Emergency I Management Seagulls on the airstrip: Indigenous perspectives 4 \'ol 18, No I. Februaly 2003 ISSN: 1324 1540 , on cyclone vulnerability, awareness and mitigation PUBLISHER strategies for remote communities in the Gulf The Auilral~anjournrrl oJ Emergmq Management 1 of Carpentaria a the ofk~al,oumalof Emergency Management McLachlanS study shows understanding indigenous Australia and is the nationi most highly rated ioumal in irs field. The .pumose . of thc laurnal communities' coping mechanisms can develop better is to buld capacny in the emergency '\1 disaster management strategies. management ~ndustryin Australia. li provides ' r. access to inlormation and knowledge lor i an active Emergency Management research communiry and practitioners al ~mergency~anagement. Guidelines for Emergency Managers working with 13 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF I Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities David Templeman, Director Gencral, 1 This paper outlines some Australian examples of I Emergency Management Australia. ! working with culturally and linguistically diverse I AJEM ADVISORY COMMlnEE communities during and prior to emergency situations. i Louisa Graham. Ofice of Emergency Services I Commlssmnei, Melbourne I ChristineJenkinson, Emergency ! Managemem Australla RogerJones. TEM Consuhanrs. MI.Macedon Chas Keys. NSW State Emergency Servm Robert Lee. Emergency Managemenl Australia - ~ Communities and their Experience of Emergencies 19 Dr Jennifer McKay. Adelaide University To properly analyse the psycho-social interaction between Graeme Nicholas, Quecmland Emergency Services disaster and community Sullivan suggests a definition of David Parsons, Sydney Water Corporation community that emphasises relations within and between Michael Tamnt, Emergency sub-communities. He provides a definition that uses Management Australia several criteria that mav, orovide. a structured and PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL TEAM 1 kY/" fl&)l coherent understanding of what happens to communtties Grey Worldwide Canberra I during emergencies and may even determine how a Manager, Mark Gadfrey community might best approach recovery Editorial Coordinator, Anita Cleaver Researcher, Margaret Wallu Design and Typesetting by Whiubang An CIRCULATION I . . 1 Bringing 'complex [errorism' and 'corporate 27 Published on the last day ol Augua. November, / malleaskx' into a classification schema February and May each year. Over 5.000 copies for disasters are dianbuted quanerly wthout charge to This article argues a reappraisal of emergency subwnbers thraughout Australia and overseas. ~ ~ management systems might be of assistance to COPYRIGHT organisations concerned with risk assessment in Material in The AurlralionJournol ojEmergeniy tWonagement is protected under the all phases of disaster. Commonwealth Capynght Act 1968. No material may be reproduced in part or in whole wirhout writren consent lram rhe copyright holders. The views in thrs journal are not necessarily the views of Emergency 1 " Effects of disclosure of flood-liability on residential 35 Management Auamlia.

; welcomes submissions. Please conma us on ' [email protected],~ lor a caw., ofour I Cantributoa' Guidelines. Articles lor i publication may be forwarded to: I The Australm laurnal of FOREWORD EMA Training - National Best Practice by Margery Webster

Emergency Management Australia national competency standards. people to do their job better and Institute recently attained Registered The Public Safety Training Package places great importance on lransjer Training Organisation status under Uuly 2000) includes the of learning. Current research into the new Australian Quality Training competency standards for the how people learn shows that Framework (AQTF) Standards for emergency management sector. interactive teaching strategies, with Registered Training Organisations, These describe the industry agreed a strong emphasis on moving from confirming the Institute's position as skills and knowledge for eifective theory to practical application. a national best practice provider of practice in emergency management. result in the transfer of new emergency management training and are packaged into the learning into actual workplace and assessment. qualification Advanced Diploma practice. One of the main features in Public Sajery (Emergency of EM& new teaching and learning The rigorous audit process covered ManagemenO. approach is the three-stage structure all the Institute's operations, of the programs: including procedures, competence To ensure EMA programs can be of stall and the quality of learning nationally recognised, the content of Stage 1: Preparation and assessment strategies. Working EMA short courses has been aligned Before coming to the on-campus towards compliance with the with the emergency management component, participants are standards was a significant competency standards and learning required to complete preparatory commitment involving every staff and assessment strategies developed work to introduce them to member at the Institute. to meet the competency the content. requirements. Where there is no The AQTF Standards, together competency match. EMA Stage 2: On-campus work with nationally endorsed industry curriculum will still be accredited Here new knowledge and skills are Training Packages make up the through the Victorian Qualifications applied in practice situations in a National Training Framework (NTF) Authority and nationally recognised. "safe" environment. for vocational education and The good news is that in 2003 the training in Australia. The Stage 3: Workplace application EMA Institute will be delivering framework is designed to support and evidence collection programs against five of the eleven the quality and consistency of Back in the workplace participants training so that employers and competency standards required for the Advanced Diploma in Public apply what they have learnt and training providers can readily collect evidence to show that they recognise their industry Solely (Emergency Managemen0 and will gradually add new have achieved the relevant competencies and confidently competencies. accept Statements of Attainment competency standards to it's or qualifications issued by all program of activities. Participants The preparatory work in stage 1 Registered Training Organisations. can gain credit (nationally means that participants are tuned This is particularly important for recognised Statements of into the content of the program the public safety industry because Attainment) for completing each before commencing the on-campus as this journal goes to press, unit of competency and may component so that time on-campus emergency management personnel gradually complete additional units is more usefully spent interacting to eventually gain the Advanced are being widely deployed from with facilitators and fellow Diploma in Public Safely (Emergency around Australia to assist their participants, learning through Management), and/or a nationally interstate colleagues with the problem solving, discussion. recognised qualification in other bushfire crisis. practical exercises and sharing areas of public safety Pathways to individual experiences. The What other nationally recognised workplace application stage ensures does this mean qualifications, such as in training? that new knowledge and skill for EMA management, are also possible. The AQTF requires that all training enhances workplace performance for national recognition is aligned Learning and assessment EMA is and is therefore valuable to both the to national industry competency incorporating more interactive organisation and the participant. standards where they exist. State methods of learning into Institute and territory training authorities programs. The Institute is keen to Assessment will not accredit courses if the same make sure that training in For competency assessment. outcome can be achieved through emergency management really helps participants must present evidence which clearly demonstrates that Candidate Assessment ln$mnation who have achieved high levels of they meet the performance criteria Kit for each program. This provides competence from on-the-job outlined in the particular practical information for people learning before emergency competency standard. Participants who wish to be assessed, as well as management credentials were are assessed on how they apply for those completing third party available. Evidence of these skills and knowledge "on the job reports. The kit includes templates achievements can now be used in (or in a simulated environment for self-assessment, for planning the Recognition of Prior Learning where the requirements of the evidence collection and for (RPL) assessment process. If competency unit allow for this). third-pany reports. candidates can pro\lde evidence to People are not awarded a credit or demonstrate that what they have qualification just for "time served" Recognition of learned from their experience meets on the job or in training. Prior Learning (RPL) the outcomes of units of Formal qualifications are becoming competency they may be given In the new structure, evidence more important for gaining formal credit. collection and third party reports employment and/or promotion in are essential components oi the the emergency management sector assessment process. To assist in thts This may be an impediment for Funher information about EMA programs can be accessed at wwwemagovau process EMA has produced a emergency management personnel

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The article Perceived change in risk lncreased tropical cyclone mean IPCC (2001): Climate Change 2001: The ojnatural disasters caused by global and peak precipitation Scirnr$c Bosis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment warming by C.R. deFreitas. (Nov, intensities. Repan of the lntergowrnmental Panel 2002) claims there is little evidence Many of these changes have already on Climate Change. Haughtan. J. T., that the enhanced greenhouse effect Ding. Y. Griggs. D. J.. Noguer. will result in an increased risk of been observed in the past 50 years M., van der Linden. P J.. Dai. X., natural disasters. (IPCC, 2001, pages 4-5). Collins Maskell. K. and Johnson. C. A. (eds). et al. (2000) found significant Cambridge Univ. Press. This opinion differs on a number oi increases in Australian hot days, Cambridge. 881 pp. h~tp://~grida.no/climatd issues from a more comprehensive decreases in cold nights, and ipcc-tar/wgllindex.htm review of the effect of climate decreased intra-seasonal variability. De Freitas, C.R. (2002): Perceived change on extreme events by the Hennessy et al. (1999) have shown change in risk of natural disasters Intergovernmental Panel on Climate increases in Australian extreme caused by global warming. Australian Change (Houghton el a].. 2001). rainfall. Nicholls et al. (1998) found Journal ojErnergency Management. based on contributions from 1057 that while the number of cyclones November 2002. 34-38. scientists and reviewers. The report around Australia decreased from Karaly, D.. Risbey, J. and Repolds, A. (2003): Global warming contributes to concludes (page 15) that climate 1969-1995, the number of stronger change will lead to: Australiak worst drought. Monarh cyclones has increased. Karoly et al. University conrultancy reponjor Wdd Higher maximum temperatures (2003) concluded that the Australian Wildlfe Fund. 8 pp. wwwwwforgau. and more hot days over nearly drought of 2002-2003, and the Nicholls. N.. Landsea. C, and Gill,J. all land areas. associated impacts on agriculture. (1998): Recent trends in Australian region tropical cyclone activity Higher minimum temperatures. water resources and fire, were made Mereorological and Armospheric Physics, fewer cold days and frost days more severe than past droughts due 65. 197-205. over nearly all land areas. to greenhouse warming. Kevin Hennessy Reduced diurnal temperature Senior Research Scientist range over most land areas. References Climate Impact Group lncreased heat index over Collins, D. A. Della-Marta. PM.. CSlRO Atmospheric Research land areas, Plummer, N. and Trewin, B. (2000): Victoria, Australia More intense precipitation Trends in annual frequencies of extreme temperature events in Kevin Walsh events, Melbourne University Australia. Aurrralion Maeorological School of Earth Sciences lncreased summer continental Magazine. 49, 277-292. drying and associated risk of Victoria, Australia Hennessy. K.J., Suppiah. R. and Page, drought, C.M. (1999): Austraiian rainfall lncreased tropical cyclone peak changes, 191W1995. Australian wind intensities, Meteorological Magwine. 48. 1-13. Seagulls on the Airstrip: Indigenous Perspectives on CwcOone Vulnerabilitw

Comhunities in the

McLachlan's study shows how understanding indigenous communities' coping mechanisms can lead to better disaster management strategies.

-- v a diflering view as to what type of se~ceis essential &&e McLachlan and is classified as a lifeline" (Manock 1997:12). In this L - ..1 paper. a definition similar to Manock's (1997) is used. On the northern coast-line of Australia, during where lifelines are defined as: transport systems - the annual Australian wet season period-from namely road, air, and sea links, as well as November to March -residents of coastal towns communications such as radio, television, telephone and satellite links. All of these are vital in monitoring and cities are aware of the dangers posed by natural and assessing hazardous situations in remote hazards. In the area stretching from the northern west communities, and more importantly, essential in coast region of Western Australia, to the supplying assistance to them. south-east corner of the Queensland coast. weather-wise, the most potentially dangerous hazard is In the Gulf oi Carpentaria, and the western region of tropical cyclones (Johnson et al 1995. Blyant 1991). Cape York Peninsula, there is an isolated and scattered population concentrated into small towns and Much research on tropical cyclones concerns associated communities. With the exception of Weipa and effects, focusing on property damage, storm surge, ffirumba, the majority of the population in most of floods and financial ramifications (King et al 2001. these remote towns and communities is made up of Smith 2001, Granger et. al. 1999). It is expected these indigenous people. In normal conditions, all are hazards will continue to be the subject of future extremely isolated and their liielines and research studies, because apart from their frequency, communications are limited. On occasions when the they are also relatively predictable, and the associated destructive effects of wind damage and floods caused by dangerj can be avoided with appropriate preparation a tropical cyclone are added to the situation, some communities' connections to the rest of the country are completely severed, often for several weeks. Essential In northern Queensland, the majority of the population communication like phone sewices are affected by is centralised on the east coast into two cities, Cairns destruction of poles and lines and roads are often cut and Townsville, and several touns in between, such as by floodwaters. Some or the larger communities such as Innisfail and lngham. Past cyclone research has been Mornington Island. Doomadgee and Nomanton have mainly confined to these urban centres, where disaster established all-weather sealed airstrips, so when roads lifelines and suppon senices have been developed. Platt are cut, supplies can be flown in if necessary gives a wide definition of lifelines as: "systems or networks which provide for the circulation of people, In cyclone research and assessment studies conducted in goods, services and information upon which health. coastal north-east Queensland urban centres (Butterworth safety, comfort and economic activity depend (Platt 1991; Granger et al. 19991, and Cape York remote 1991:173). According to Manock. "Each community has communities (King et al. 2001). the main focus was Supply ferry from Karumba docked at Gununa jeny damage to property, and the cost of repairs. They were settlement in the Northern TerritoryS(Murphy 1984: x). part of overall damage assessment reports, and while Like Bunbur): Murphy included numerous excerpts or they touched on some human aspects, they did not recorded accounts that were taken from settlers' detail the social ramifications of the impact of personal diaries and journals. Another pertinent the cyclones. reference was a James Cook University study by Eric Butterworth. Cyclone lmpacr (1991). which focused on The strategies of cyclone awareness, preparedness and the socio-economic effects of cyclone Winifred which wlnerability are elements that are the main focus of crossed the coast near Innisfail in 1986. authorities in the development and maintenance of disaster management in remote communities. The A similar study to that being discussed in this article was reports and studies from remote communities do not conducted by Skertchly and Skertchly (19991, on the contain the indigenous inhabitants' views. In some of coast of the Northern Territory Their project involved these areas, live elders whose ancestors have sun-ived investigating severe natural hazards in the Australian in these areas long before Europeanb dellsed disaster monsoon region. They contended that over a long strategies were introduced. period of time, indigenous inhabitants of the area had developed eflective methods of sunlval, which Given the specific parameters of the subject of this incorporated. "devising solutions for living and thriving paper, there was virtually little relevant literature in their challenging environments, and designing viable available for reference, so publications on natural means of protection against severe natural hazards" hazards concepts and issues, in the context of disasters (Skertchly and Skertchly1999: 48). Included in the management, were reviewed (Smith 2001; Gough 2000; study were cyclones, and the role they played in local Chapman 1999; Kellert 1997; Kovach 1995; Blaike et al traditional Aboriginal knowledge, in association with 1994; Alexander 1993). stories and the natural environment. This article, and others mentioned previously, suggested a need for more In Australia, apart from old newspapers, there is limited research based on disaster management in remote material available regarding cyclones and people's actual cyclone prone areas. Studies of this type could experiences of them. In 1994. Bill Bunbury released a investigate survival strategies of Aboriginal people in a book entitled, Cyclone hcy: picking up the pieces, that region such as the Gulf of Carpentaria. It may also "tries to tell the story of the cyclone through the eyes of involve examining whether traditional attitudes, stories, people who went through it and to look at some of the myths and sulvival techniques have been passed on, issues that emerged ... " (Bunbury 1994: 12). The and if they play a part in any of the communities today interesting thing about the book was that most of the Most importantly, such a study could obtain an text is personalised accounts that were recorded indigenous perspective on natural hazards, which may verbatim. A similar approach was used by Kevin be of benefit to both disaster management authorities Murphy in his 1984 publication. Big Blow Up North, and local people in remote communities. The which was primarily an "historical account highlighting acknowledgement and inclusion of traditional the eflect of tropical cyclones on the progress of Aboriginal hazard strategies in emergency management 444km north of Mt Isa. Comprising an area of about 700 square kilometres, it is the largest of the twenty-two islands, which lorm the Wellesley Islands group in the Gulf. Located reasonably close to the mainland in the southern half of the Carpentaria Gulf, the island appears to be in a relatively sheltered position. However this is not the case, as over the years Mornington has lelt the direct ellects of numerous tropical cyclones and has been consistently exposed to extreme weather conditions from cyclones and storms in the vicinity. The reason for the island5 vulnerability is that its location is in an area that is subject to the forces of the seasonal monsoon activity that occurs in northern Australia during the annual wet season. The island is also flat - Alma Moon and Ossie Escort, residents of Gununa. there are no mountain ranges or other significant geographic leatures to face the full force of strong practices could consolidate and Iunher improve weather conditions. The township of Gunitna, which is relationships between local indigenous people the Lardil language name for Mornington, is located on and authorities. the southern coastline of the island, in a small bay where it is somewhat sheltered from northerly winds by There have also been a number of projects camed out in the islands land mass. Additionally, to the south of the remote communities in northern Queensland by the township, about one kilometre across the Appel Centre for Disaster Studies at James Cook University in Channel, is Denham Island, offering limited protection Towmville. Recent research by King and others. from southerly winds. At a point where Gitnuna is investigated vulnerability to cyclone and natural directly opposite Denham, the channel is narrow, so it hazards, in indigenous remote communities of north pro~ldessome protection from waves. However, the Queensland (King et al 2001). In the final report. town would be extremely vulnerable to cyclone winds important disaster management issues such as coming in from a westerly direction. preparedness, mitigation and lifelines were examined. and although acknowledged in some capacit): the The island has a population of about 1200, most of inhabitants played a minor role in the studies. Of whom are indigenous and reside in Gununa. The course, many reports are guided by research that original indigenous inhabitants of Mornington were the priolitize other topics. Lardil Aboriginal people. They formed the largest tribal group formerly occupying the North Wellesley Islands. It is the author's contention that in these various including Mornington, Sydney and Wallaby islands. research and assessment studies, whether in the large However, a number of people have stated they were eastem coast cities (Granger et al. 1999) and towns. born in Momington but either one or both parents were or the remote communities, one important element that born elsewhere. Although there are many descendants of has not been focused on, is the indigenous people. In Lardil people on the island, it appears a large number of some of these areas, live elders whose ancestors have the people are descendants of Aboriginal groups from sunived in these areas long before European devised the surrounding Gulf mainland regions such as disaster strategies were introduced. During recent Doomadgee, Burketown. Normanton and as far nonh as research fieldwork in the Gulf of Carpentaria on Aumkun and Weipa. Wherever their ancestors may have Mornington Island, a local elder was asked when he come from, the local people have a long cultural history, knew a cyclone was getting closer. He replied, "When 1 closely linked to the physical environment of the island. saw the seagulls all flying in and landing on the Part of the adaptation to their natural surroundings, is airstrip". He explained that it meant conditions at sea their way of coping with the effects of cyclones. and along the coast of the island were so rough due to the approaching storm. the birds sought shelter inland. History It is an example of how indigenous people in these regions employ observations of nature to forecast evenls. A Presbyterian mission with a school was established in a fact that may be overlooked by authorities responsible 1914. Four years later a dormitory system was set up for for planning disaster management strategies for remote the children attending school. A few of the missionary indigenous communities. buildings are still standing. The old missionary's residence is now a guesthouse and a community library Mornington Island is housed in the former church building. Many of the Mornington lsland is an isolated community, located older people relate tales of either being part of the in the Gulf of Carpentaria, approximately 125km missionary system or living on the island in the northwest of Burketown. 400km west ol Cairns and early 1900s. In 1978, with support of the Commonwealth Government, the community reached an agreement with the State Government for self-government via a local authority. Under this system, the community developed a series of enterprises including a cattle farm, bakery, handicrafts and a guesthouse. The cattle and bakery no longer exist however many locals currently manage services initiated by the community under the system. These se~cesprovide employment to a number of residents. Enterprises include a general store, an aged- care home, art and crafts centre and a child-care centre. Public utilides in Gununa are well developed with reticulated power, water, sewerage and storm water drainage. Education to junior secondary level is available The old Presbyterian church which is now used as the community library but there is no access to TAFE or tertiary education. The majority of people are employed in community service where about one hundred and twenty pre-fabricated. areas. The Mornington Shire Council provides the bulk cyclone resistant houses were erected on the higher of the work for most of the men, through general ground where they currently stand. labouring jobs and other specialised services such as machinery operators and truck drivers. Most men are Cyclone Abigail either employed full time by the Council or panake in The most recent direct hit was in 2001, when Cyclone the local CDEP schemes where they generally work Abigail, rated a category 2, struck Gununa causing 4-5 days a week. minimal damage to residential houses. The extent of the damage reported was confined to rooftops, where Cyclones breeze-catchers and aerials were blown off,and some Several of the elder Aboriginal people were born and solar panels were broken. Many properties experienced raised on Mornington, and apart from a few years away damage to trees that either lost leaves and branches or working on the mainland, have lived there all their lives. were blown over. There were several houses where watel From their narratives, the author established most was blown under doors and through windows causing people had experienced a number of cyclones while on problems with electrical goods and floor coverings. Mornington. They talked about cyclones as a way of life There was one building that suffered extensive damage, on the island, and some of the more senior elders but it was a public facility and fortunately was not commented they have experienced a number of storms. occupied at the time of the storm. The cause of the The elders maintained cyclones and storms do not damage to the facility was a freak gust of wind, which necessarily pose any threat if people do the right thing can happen during cyclones. All residential houses lost and carry out pre-cyclone preparations. Early in 2002. power and water for periods ranging from a couple of cyclone Bernie passed to the north of the island, but did hours, up to in some cases, two days. Few of the not have any significant effect on the island other than residents complained about the lack of electricity providing gusty winds and much needed rainfall. Most because they perceived it as a normal event during the of the older residents spoke of past cyclones but all cyclone season. The estimated damage for property was agreed that as far as they could remember. the last placed at approximately $245.000 for Mornington cyclone to cause significant damage was Ted in 1976. Island, and fortunately there were no fatalities or serious Cyclone Ted injuries reported. On Sunday 19th of December 1976, cyclone Ted. Residents agreed that cyclones tended to bring the categor). 4, passed directly over the Gununa township, community together, especially family groups. For with destructire wind gusts over two-hundred various reasons some residents stayed with relatives to kilometres per hour, and then proceeded south where it sit out the storm and that time gave them the crossed the coast near Burketown in the evening. The opportunity to talk and generally catch up with family storm caused extensive property damage estimated at matters. In the clean-up process afterwards, people about $8million, in the Mornington and Burketown helped each other clearing yards and talked about how communities. Although 700 people on Mornington were they fared when the storm struck. A few people raised left homeless, fortunately there was no loss of life or concerns that there should be more local people sustained serious injury Houses in the old village involved with the SES senice, and that there could be located along a low sandy shoreline section of the more coordinated organisation by authorities in the settlement were constantly subjected to annual flooding. clean up afterwards. There were some complaints about Cyclone Ted demolished all houses in the old village shortage of some of the equipment used in the cleaning resulting in a large-scale government housing project up process, but overall, the people agreed that the tidylng up process by the local authorities was carried they received the hourly radio update. the storm had out effectively. moved much quicker than anticipated, and it was bearing down on the township midway through the Warnings scheduled warning time. In another case, residents The majority of residents received information and noted that after the eye of cyclone Abigail had passed warnings about cyclones from household radios and over Gununa, the winds coming from the opposite television, and these people also informed family and direction appeared to be noticeably stronger. This was friends who did not have these facilities, about the confirmed later by weather records indicating, almost cyclone's movements. Many people assert that not immediately after crossing Mornington, Abigail rapidly enough local information was given in the warning deepened to a category 3 cyclone. Those locals who messages before the cyclone impact period, and perhaps noticed the increase in winds expressed some concern local authorities could have been more involved. They that perhaps the oflic~alwarning system had said there was no visible presence 01 authorities such as underestimated the cyclone intensity. Despite these police or SES, and it was suggested that perhaps people discrepancies, most people on the island think the from these departments could have driven around the television and radio warning broadcasts are reasonably streets and flashed their sirens or used a loud speaker to accurate and sufficient. With regards to official warnings warn people to stay indoors as the cyclone approached. and interpretation, perhaps there could he some Council employees stated that warnings of impending assistance from local authorities. For instance SES bad weather were transmitted from the shire office, to personnel could be trained to give talks or seminars to two-way radios in worker5 vehicles. They could then the local population on how to interpret the synoptic drive around to relatives and lriends and notify them 01 maps and satellite images which are shown on the oncoming severe weather conditions. television.

Although the island does receive television and radio Nature's warnings signals, these are on relay lrom vastly distant broadcast stations on the mainland. The three radio stations that Several people told of how past and present indigenous are available are broadcast from centres on the eastern Mornington Islanders read warnings from nature of coast of north Queensland. These are, regional ABC impending "had weather", a local term applied to severe from Cairns, on AM and FM frequencies, and 4K1G on storms as well as cyclone conditions. The event is FM from Townsville. Television programs are broadcast preceded by a sea bird seen to be flying around, as well tia IMPARJA based in Alice Springs. Channel Seven and as the sea becoming rough or referred to locally by national ABC relayed from Brisbane. There is also a several people as "churning up". Also, when birds called Queensland Bureau of Meteorology radar aation based manowar, from an outlying island are observed flying in Gununa next to the hospital. It operates 24 hours a over Mornington, islanders know there is either a severe day and has a radius range of 256 kilometres that storm or a cyclone approaching. A resident said that on enables it to encompass a good view of the surrounding one occasion, they noticed that when they went down to Gulf of Carpentaria area. The purpose of the radar is to the local jetty fishing, the seawater and the caught fish show images of rainfall in relation to local features such were unusually warm, and the colour of the water was a as the coastline. The radar at Mornington, combined deep green. Within several days, radio and television with similar facilities at Weipa and Gove in the Northern warnings were broadcast of a cyclone that had Territory, helps keep a reasonably current weather developed in the area. It is a fact that warm sea water sundance of most of the Gulf region. Images from the temperatures are an integral element in the initial radar are available to Mornington Island residents via formation of a tropical cyclone, so once again, by the internet, but in such a community indigenous reading nature5 signs, people know there is going to be people do not generally possess computers. However, all some change in the weather According to locals, the local authorities such as the council, police station. another reliable natural indicator of impending rain is hospital and the school are able to access this the flying ant, which is attracted to lights at night, and information through their office communications comes out in swarms a few days before the event. network such as computers and lax machines. The appropriate authorities can then inform residents with Pre-cyclone Preparations information about image updates of any major Mornington lsland receives advice on natural disaster threatening weather features, namely severe storms procedures from the District Managerh oflice of the and cyclones. Queensland Counter Disaster and Emergency Senices. While these communication systems appear to be which is based in MI. Isa. The olfice covers most of the adequate for providing Mornington Island with weathet area in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria, including information, some residents did voice concerns about Burketown, Doomadgee and Mornington Island, and the time lapses between the warnings issued. In one over the years a system of emergency management with case, a person stated that during a cyclone, by the time MI. Isa as the base, has been established. State, and local governments, as well as the local community councils in low cliffs located on the north coast of the island, are involved. where Abo