Don't Close magnetic Island Camp Mr Dickson MP LNP! You are Wrong!

 You've got it wrong Mr Dickson MP LNP

The Minister for Recreation Steve Dickson is determined to see the only Disaster Evacuation and Recovery Centre is closed and decommissioned. Mr Dickson and his bureaucracy need a reality check. They have got it all wrong.\
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In today's Townsville Bulletin his spokeswoman made the following statement, "The designation of a disaster recovery centre on magnetic island is a council responsibility. It is important to note that the Magnetic island Active recreation centre is not cyclone rated and was not used  as a disaster recovery centre during Yasi".

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Of course the designation of a disaster recovery centre on magnetic island is a council responsibility. The LDMG (Local Disaster Management Group) is headed up by the council. They are required to select appropriate facilities suitable for  extreme situations. The camp is the only island facility is the major Evacuation Centre that has the prerequisites necessary for it's role. Relief and Recovery.
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An evacuation centre is a designated building specifically selected as a location not anticipated to be adversely affected by the hazard. Evacuation centres should be pre-determined and clearly categorised for event suitability. It is important to note that an evacuation centre is not suitable for use as a public cyclone shelter during a cyclone event but would be utilised for accommodation after the cyclone has passed. It is not a designated shelter. There are currently no designated shelters on Magnetic Island.

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For a structure to be called a public cyclone shelter it must be designed and constructed in accordance with the Design Guidelines for Queensland Public Cyclone Shelters: September 2006. (*Queensland Evacuation Guidelines for Disaster Management Groups 0ct 2011) There are NO designated Public Cyclone Shelters on Magnetic Island
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Whilst the the Magnetic Island Centre may not be cyclone rated as a shelter the camp has sustained only minor structural damage during Yasi and during all cyclones post Althea in from 1975. The office, built in 1946 was not damaged during Althea. The rest of the centre was rebuilt to stringent government requirements by 1975.
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However the centre has a dual purpose. It also has all the prerequisites to be designated an evacuation and  relief and relief & recovery Centre. commonly referred to as ‘One Stop Shops’ which provide a range of welfare, support, financial and emotional recovery services for disaster affected persons .
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Minister, we again remind you that there is no other facility appropriate on Magnetic Island. Further the "Determining the need for, and establishment of, Relief and Recovery Centres is managed by the Department of Communities. These decisions are informed by the needs identified by the LDMG." (*Queensland Evacuation Guidelines for Disaster Management Groups 0ct 2011)
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 And bad luck for the Magnetic Island Community because the Department of Comunities, who also manage the camp, have decided to ignore the essential protocols and official guidelines and give no creedence to the information provided by the LDMG, headed up by the Townsville City Council.

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