IGEM Report 1: 2017-18 - THE CYCLONE DEBBIE REVIEW

The Cyclone Debbie Review

A number of councils 102 told us how this access to data and detailed information kept people informed and assisted them to be more self-reliant during the event. Our community survey however highlighted only limited public use of local government social media and online sources in the survey areas.

More specifically, the community survey revealed only very limited use of Facebook in all four areas surveyed. The same limited social media and online use was also demonstrated for state government agencies in these areas.

Themes

Perceived effectiveness of methods of receiving warnings.

Source: MCR Community Survey

Whitsundays

Mackay

Rockhampton

Logan / Scenic Rim / Gold Coast

Method

% rating method of receiving warning as effective

76 76 57 66 64 66 65 44

77 90 77 71 74 66 67 51

79 77 81 74 73 69 64 59

83 69 79 74 72 63 64 47

Text message to mobile from authorities

Radio broadcasts

Television broadcasts

Phone call to mobile from authorities Being door-knocked by police or SES

The websites of relevant authorities

Social media such as Facebook or Twitter

Phone call to landline from authorities

Traditional media Traditional media, whether it be radio, television or online continues to be one of the main sources of information accessed by the community. Approximately 54 per cent of all community survey respondents identified using an ABC news source for information, and 67 per cent of respondents indicated using another news source. Radio is identified in the community survey as the most common way of receiving ABC news, which reinforces the importance of encouraging households to ensure access to a battery operated radio during events. The community survey also showed many respondents rated radio broadcasts and television broadcasts as very effective, if not more effective as a method of receiving warnings than text messages sent to mobile phones by authorities. Many councils indicated the pivotal role that the media played in disseminating information.

Media coverage The increased centralisation of media agencies was raised by some councils, highlighting that with fewer regional offices and local media staff, getting coverage of local events was problematic. A number of councils also voiced concerns that the media reporting was inaccurate. One council highlighted the confusion caused when the media reported a higher level of flood to the central business area as certain, when the Bureau had advised it as a “possibility.” Similarly, coverage on an evacuation incorrectly reported that the population of an entire town was being evacuated. There was also much concern expressed about the media showing people and reporters in high risk situations or acting in an unsafe way during the event. Examples cited include coverage of people swimming in the surf during the cyclone, people using jet skis and surf boards in flooded areas and reporters standing out in the eye of the cyclone or in flood waters.

The volume, reach and diversity of sources did give most people access to fit-for- purpose information that they then utilised to inform their actions. We did identify a number of factors, though, that affected some communities’ ability to prepare and take appropriate action. These were: • the ability for people to get information when normal communications infrastructure fails

• access to consistent and understandable information that enabled people to take appropriate action • an authoritative “point of truth” for the dissemination of information.

• “(the) Media conference by the Mayor on Tuesday really pushed out and reinforced the ‘get ready’ messaging.” 103 • “Media coverage brilliant compared to 2011 as we were where the ‘action’ was …media- messaging on local radio was faster than official notification i.e. school closure messaging.” 104 • Daily media from the Chair, regular updates to the community. 105

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6 THEMES

Social media • Traditional media • Information sources