Adversity is no stranger to residents of our region. 

Last week when a bushfire broke out near the township of Woolooga, the people of our community went to work. 

It took an extraordinary effort by rural and urban firefighters to control the blaze and I want to thank them on behalf of council for their dedication, hard work and skill in preventing a disaster turning into a catastrophe.    

While about 10,000 hectares of land was destroyed, firefighters from Gympie, Toowoomba, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay managed to save close to 80 homes and structures.   

I spoke last week about community spirit, and the events which have transpired in Woolooga have highlighted to me the extraordinary lengths people will go to help another in need.  

The recovery efforts are continuing and will do for some time. It is council’s responsibility to lead this charge and provide assistance where applicable. 

We have staff from all over the organisation on the ground, performing everything from providing advice on safe drinking water to assessing damage to roads and infrastructure. 

We want to make sure the community is supported through this and we will do everything we can to facilitate that.   

It has also been a particularly bad year on our nation’s roads and now that the September school holidays are in full swing I would like to encourage everyone to stay safe. 

Council is hosting a number of school holiday activities around the region. Check out www.gympie.qld.gov.au/holiday-fun for the full list.   

Mayor Mick Curran