EWN Discontinuation Announcement

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Discontinuation of Early Warning Network service

Somerset Regional Council will discontinue its use of the Early Warning Network (EWN) service on 31 August 2026. From this date, the EWN will no longer be used to distribute warnings or alert messages for the Somerset local government area.

Until the discontinuation date, existing subscribers may continue to receive alerts through the EWN where available. Council encourages residents to use this transition period to ensure they are connected to alternative, reliable and authoritative warning sources.

For those without Smartphones (approximately 3% of the population), there remains the option to subscribe directly with the EWN by visiting www.earlywarningnetwork.com.au at an annual cost of $29.95

Bureau of Meteorology – primary source for severe weather warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is Australia’s official authority for weather forecasting and the issuance of severe weather warnings. Somerset Regional Council strongly encourages residents to rely on the BOM as their primary source of information for weather‑related hazards, including:

  • Severe thunderstorm warnings
  • Flood watches and flood warnings
  • Heatwave warnings
  • Severe weather outlooks and forecasts
  • Tropical cyclone advice (where applicable)

The BOM website and BOM Weather App provide timely, location‑based warnings, forecasts, radar imagery and official advice issued directly by the responsible national agency. These services remain the most accurate and authoritative source of severe weather information.

Residents are encouraged to:

  • Download the free BOM Weather App and enable notifications
  • Regularly check the BOM website during periods of severe or unstable weather
  • Monitor warnings and forecasts relevant to their specific location

Staying informed during emergency events

In addition to Bureau of Meteorology warnings, Council encourages the community to stay informed through multiple trusted information channels, including:

  • The Somerset Disaster Dashboard for local updates, impacts and road closures
  • Emergency Alert messages issued by authorised agencies
  • Somerset Regional Council’s official website and social media channels
  • Local radio broadcasts, including ABC Radio and River 949, particularly during power or telecommunications outages

Preparing ahead of 31 August 2026

Ahead of the discontinuation of the EWN service, Council encourages households, businesses and community organisations to:

  • Ensure the BOM Weather App is installed and notifications are enabled
  • Familiarise themselves with the Somerset Disaster Dashboard
  • Maintain a battery‑powered radio or portable power bank
  • Review emergency plans and ensure contact details are current

Why this change is occurring

Following the significant flooding events experienced across South East Queensland in 2011, Somerset Regional Council partnered with the Early Warning Network (EWN) to provide the community with localised, location‑based weather alerts. Over more than a decade, the service has played an important role in supporting community preparedness, delivering timely BOM-issued warning information to Somerset subscribers during severe weather events.

Recently, Council has reviewed its disaster management and communication systems to ensure they remain effective, reliable, and aligned with best‑practice emergency management. This has identified an opportunity to streamline communications by focusing on nationally recognised warning systems, such as those provided by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Transitioning away from EWN will help strengthen community awareness of official information sources, reduce duplication, and improve the clarity and consistency of messaging during emergency events.

Seqwater dam release notifications

Residents registered with the Seqwater Dam Notification Service will continue to receive important notifications relating to water releases from Somerset and Wivenhoe Dams, independent of the Early Warning Network.

Information on registering for dam release notifications is available via the Seqwater website: seqwater.com.au/dam-release-notification-service

More information

Further information about disaster preparedness, warning systems and staying connected is available on Somerset Regional Council’s website or by contacting Council on (07) 5424 4000.

Staying informed and prepared plays an important role in keeping the Somerset community safe during severe weather and emergency events.

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