The Disaster Management Act 2003 requires a Local Government to appoint a Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and prepare comprehensive disaster management plans. The Burdekin Shire Council’s LDMG is chaired by the Mayor of the Burdekin Shire Council, and includes Executive Council Officers, representatives from Police, Fire, Ambulance, SES, health, tourism and other advisory members as required.

Council’s disaster management adviser is the Local Disaster Coordinator. The Local Disaster Coordinator also coordinates the disaster management and disaster risk management planning, development and staff training for the Burdekin Shire.

The Burdekin LDMG makes decisions based on advice from the Bureau of Meteorology’s weather predictions. The Burdekin LDMG’s area of responsibility covers all communities in the Burdekin Shire.

Depending on the severity of the event, the Burdekin LDMG will also establish a Local Disaster Coordination Centre which will be manned by trained Council staff, emergency services and key agencies to coordinate resources and information in response to a disaster event.

The Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group is responsible for:

• Developing disaster management arrangements and allocating responsibilities
• Coordinating operations
• Preparing disaster management plans for the Burdekin Shire
• Establishing and maintaining a local emergency service.