14 July 2025
Our Noosa Waters Retirement Estate recently partnered with Noosa Council to bring cutting-edge disaster preparedness technology directly to our residents, reinforcing our shared commitment to safety and resilience.
In a Queensland-first initiative, the Noosa Council Disaster Management team introduced our community to the remarkable Simtable, an interactive 3D hazard mapping tool that visually demonstrates the potential impact of natural disasters such as bushfires.
This hands-on experience was delivered to 20 of our residents, including our emergency wardens, as part of a special resilience workshop held onsite.
The Simtable uses projected imagery over a mouldable sand surface to replicate real-world terrain.
During the session, residents observed a simulated fire scenario unfold on nearby Mount Pomona, revealing in real time how quickly fires can spread, and just how vulnerable evacuation routes in the region can be.
“This was an incredibly valuable exercise for our residents,” said Deb Leask, Village Manager at Noosa Waters. “It’s helped us visualise risk and refine our evacuation procedures to keep our community safe”.
The session was organised by Ian Williams, Disaster Resilience Officer at Noosa Council, in partnership with the Rural Fire Service and Council’s Disaster Resilience team. It builds on a strong relationship between Southern Cross Care and local disaster response authorities, which proved especially critical during past emergencies such as Cyclone Alfred. At Southern Cross Care, we are proud to work alongside local partners who share our values of preparedness, collaboration, and care. This latest initiative ensures our Noosa Waters community is not only informed but empowered to respond to future emergencies with confidence.
