14 February 2025
Community safety will be boosted in Killarney and Leyburn with the flood warning sirens being decommissioned and replaced with a faster and more dependable phone-based flood alert system as the sirens have reached the end of their service life.
Acoustic studies have shown that the sirens are not as effective during flood events, with sound levels significantly diminishing over distance during adverse weather conditions.
To improve emergency response, Council is transitioning to the modern Emergency Alert (EA) system—a faster, more dependable method for notifying residents during urgent evacuation situations.
EA is the national telephone-based warning system used to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobiles to alert people of emergencies and dangerous weather warnings within a defined area.
Southern Downs Councillor Cynthia McDonald said the new system represents a major step forward in community safety.
“The safety of our residents is paramount, and the Emergency Alert system offers a more reliable and faster way to communicate urgent flood warnings where there is an imminent risk to community safety when other forms of communication will not reach the community in time,” Councillor McDonald said.
“Unlike the previous sirens, which were limited by distance and weather conditions, the EA system ensures that critical information reaches people in real-time directly to mobile phones and landlines.
“Emergency alerts will only be sent during extreme weather events when immediate, urgent action is needed.
“Residents are encouraged to add the EA phone number +61 444 444 444 to their mobile phone and add it to ‘favourites’ to stay informed during an emergency or disaster.”
During disaster events, residents are reminded to also stay up to date with warnings by following Council’s online Disaster Dashboard at
http://disasterdashboard.sdrc.qld.gov.au/.
“Council's Disaster Dashboard contains a lot of very important information that assists our community during times of natural disaster,” Councillor McDonald added.
“As the community’s critical point of truth during disaster events, Council’s online Disaster Dashboard was recently revamped to include new interactive tools with additional links to important resources and information to keep the community prepared, informed and safe during emergency situations.”
For more information on emergency preparedness,
visit https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/disaster-management or contact the Disaster Management team on 1300 697 372.
Last edited date 14 Feb 2025