Emerald residents will have a unique opportunity to see Fairbairn Dam from a different angle and learn how to prepare for the coming storm season at a family fun day this Sunday 9 October.
A joint initiative of SunWater and Central Highlands Regional Council, the Fairbairn Dam Open Day will feature guided tours, displays and activities to illustrate how important – and easy – it is to be prepared for storms and floods this summer.
SunWater Executive General Manager Operations, Mr Colin Bendall, said the open day is a chance for locals to enjoy a fun day out with the family, while learning how to prepare for the coming storm season.
‘We’re expecting a lovely sunny day and will have live music and great family activities at the dam picnic area including face painting, balloon art, a jumping castle, fire engine demos and giveaways,’ Mr Bendall said.
‘The Emerald Lion’s Club will be putting on one of their famous sausage sizzles and a slushie drink stand, which is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
‘Extreme weather is part of our lives as Queenslanders, and the aim of this event is to encourage locals to better understand their flood risk and the easy steps they can take to plan, prepare and keep their family safe.
‘It’s also a unique opportunity to see the dam spillway on a guided bus tour, which will include a closer look at construction works that are currently underway for the Spillway Safety Improvement Project.’
Central Highlands Mayor, Cr Kerry Hayes, said an important part of the event was fostering the sort of community spirit that enabled Emerald to weather previous natural disasters and come out stronger.
‘I’d encourage families to come along with a picnic lunch or some snags for the BBQ—the local SES will be providing additional BBQs to cater for demand—and enjoy the beautiful part of the world in which we live,’ Cr Hayes said.
‘The event has been organised in partnership with some of the community groups and local businesses that make our town what it is.
‘In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the enthusiastic efforts of our SES volunteers and teams from the local emergency services, who always play a vital role in keeping the community safe.’
The Open Day kick starts ‘Get Ready Queensland’ Week – a Queensland Government initiative to build community awareness, understanding and preparedness to deal with natural disasters.
Please note: The Fairbairn Dam Open Day is a weather permitting event; keep an eye on SunWater’s Facebook page for updates.