High respected recovery expert Professor Ed Blakely, adviser to the New Orleans Post Katrina recovery says there are real opportunities for Queensland to learn from other "catastrophes". Reflecting on Christchurch, Kobe and Katrina he identifies opportunities to improve neighbourhoods greening and future proofing.

Given that science and government are telling us that high energy events such as flooding and bushfires are increasingly likely due to climate change, these and other communities deserve to be protected in the future.

His recent podcast touches on responses for recovery http://www.blakelycitytalk.com/storage/Floodsqueensland5keys.mp3

Key points from his talk are highlighted below

1. Develop a very clear process for continuous engagement and listening. The physical manifestations of any disaster are short lived, a few years. But the trauma of the events live in the hearts and minds of people who experienced may scare for life. A long-term well developed program with various levels of help for residents, workers and volunteers has to be established and funded to meet the on going mental health crisis.

2. Re-establish security in all areas affected as soon as possible. Nothing provides greater confidence to citizens than police security, re-establishing power, opening schools and restoring the normal functions of government as soon as possible and in a form to fit the situation.

3. Examine the depth of the economic shock and move quickly to repair basic economic functions or firms that move away temporarily will stay away permanently. Every disaster economy is transformed by the shock and it is wise to look to future and not past economy to fashion the way forward post crisis.

4. Re-build and future proof the regional infrastructure which includes greening and decentralizing basic delivery mechanism like power and water and hardening essential infrastructure.

5. Establishing a community sustainable re-building program that places dwelling units in a better position to survive not just the current form of disaster but the larger long term impacts of climate change by examining locational issues, housing design and housing capacity to withstand changing climatic conditions

To help Queensland recover follow the following links

HOW you can help Queenslanders recover from this flood tragedy:

Cleaning up: 
To join working crews you should first register with Volunteering Queensland: phone 1800 994 100 or visit volunteeringqld.org.au.

Heavy work:
Those with machinery, such as bobcats, should call (07) 3403 8888 or email lordmayor@brisbane.qld.gov.au

Chipping in:
You can donate money to the official flood appeal on 1800 219 028 or on telethon.smartservice.qld.gov.au

Got a room - or a couch?

Offer a flood evacuee a place to stay