News

01-02-2024

ABLY-LED LOCAL RESPONSE HIGHLIGHTS SHORTCOMINGS

Despite facing considerable challenges, the community's response to the disaster has been notably commendable. However, as we transition to the next phase, it's evident that many in our community lack the resources, both physical and financial, to clear debris from their properties. This situation is exacerbated by the widespread exhaustion among residents who are struggling with the cleanup efforts.

There remains a significant amount of work to be done, as numerous residents have been overlooked and need assistance. This situation presents an opportunity to engage our local teenagers, empowering them to assist the more vulnerable members of our community.
The inception of the Chainsaw Warriors was a response to a pressing need. Following the Mayor's discussions about a recovery register at town meetings, it became clear that official support would be slow, limited, and might lack effective communication and community involvement. Consequently, the volunteer/recovery register was swiftly established, just two hours after a town meeting on December 30th, marking a shift to proactive action.
The Chainsaw Warriors, comprising a diverse team including ex-military system engineers, pilots, tradespeople, logistics experts, accountants, and emergency service personnel, have leveraged existing networks and communication channels for their operations. Key members like Adam Chanter, Guy Jonhstone, Oli Nardi, Josh Wray, Roland Killick, Nandalie Killick, and Leeton Lee, along with many others, have played crucial roles in the team's success.
The group expedited their mobilisation by using social media to promote their services. They have collaborated with various organisations, including Mountain Track for clearing homes, Disaster Relief Australia for sharing intelligence, local clubs for logistical support, and numerous others for resources and assistance. These partnerships have been instrumental in their operations.
The Chainsaw Warriors have also observed and adopted best practices from other efficient organisations, like Energex and Disaster Relief Australia (DRA). This has led to a flawless safety record across 108 jobs. They have worked alongside professional arborists and earthworks companies for larger tasks.
Significantly, the data collected by the Chainsaw Warriors was pivotal in initiating the DRA's deployment, a task that the local council might not have accomplished. Despite the council's decision not to extend DRA's deployment due to costs, the Chainsaw Warriors continued their efforts.
Coordination with other volunteer groups and government bodies, though mostly unofficial, has been challenging. The local council's response has been notably inadequate, with poor communication and delayed actions.
Looking ahead, it's clear that better community consultation and a well-articulated plan from the Local Disaster Management Team (LDMT) would have greatly benefited the community. The delay and brief availability of the LDMT's works register was a significant oversight. This experience provides valuable lessons for future disaster response and recovery efforts.
Some of the people that the Chainsaw Warriors worked with and wish to thank (amongst many others):
• Coordinated Victorian-based Mountain Track with clearing many local homes
• Shared local intelligence and data with Disaster Relief Australia
• Vanessa Bull and the local Lions Club with their catering support
• Tamborine Mountain Sports Association for the ongoing use of their facility as the Chainsaw Warriors operating base
• Nadine Biddle and the Foodbank for feeding the Warriors
• Jodi Meynell and her welfare check service for helping to inform residents of the Warriors service
• Ange Wild, Clare Wray and Farid for the $7,000.00 donation that has gone towards much needed equipment
• Alick Kilsby for the community event that allowed the Warriors message to be shared
• The Wardell CORE for their reciprocal support from our 2022 flood recovery drive
• Jon Krause MP for advocacy and debris clearing
• Tom Sharp for debris clearing and connecting the Warriors to Boonah based Ironbark Demolitions.
• Ironbark demolitions for providing Earthmoving equipment and skilled workers that were used on several big jobs
• Cr. Amanda Hay
• The Manor for feeding and fuelling the troops
• Fortitude Brewery for feeding and fuelling the troops
• Gold Coast based The Pride of Bettermen and Lionesses / The Movement charities for food drops for our volunteers
• Lee Karkeek and Rachel Tomolowicz for massage services to mend the bodies of the tired Warriors
• Samaritans Purse for future debris clearing
• Uniting Church Aspley with vouchers for locals in need
• Rotary Club with vouchers for locals in need
(in conversation with Adam Chanter)
Space in this issue does not permit a full treatment of the issues at hand, so Scenic News will be covering the disaster and the recovery efforts in much greater detail – please check scenicnews.com.au from February 1
Photos: top right – the Chainsaw Warriors take a short breather,
below: the Tamborine Mountain Lions laid on lunch for some of the volunteers at the Sports Ground – Tom Sharp and Guy Johnstone fuelling up, and at right, organiser Adam Chanter and Guy Johnstone taking questions and addressing concerns.