FLOOD RECOVERY

‘Years to recover’

By Arthur Gorrie

The worst flood-hit areas will take years to recover from the “once-in-a-lifetime“ downpour which devastated a large area from Goomeri and Kilkivan to Miva, Tiaro and Maryborough, Gympie mayor Glen Hartwig told recovery officials .

Recovery co-ordinator Paul de Jersey toured flood-ravaged areas with Deputy Premier Steve Miles.

One reporter said Mr de Jersey, a former Supreme Court chief justice and Queensland Governor, appeared “taken aback“ by what he saw.

“We were told this morning in Gympie that it could take four to five years (for the region to recover) - there is a lot of work to be done, it is not a short exercise,“ Mr de Jersey reportedly said.

Cr Hartwig said the region was still reeling from aftermath of Cyclone Seth.

“The damage to our roads and infrastructure is at such a significant level that it will take years to repair the damage that has been caused,“ he said in an AAP report.

“Working in partnership with both the state and federal government we want to look at ensuring that we repair this infrastructure to a level that damage of this nature doesn’t occur again.

“That will take a considerable amount of time to plan, design and install.“

Cr Hartwig said worst-hit areas were Kilkivan, Tansey, Woolooga and Booubyjan.

“When people study the deluge and intensity of the rainfall they will understand that it is hopefully a once in a lifetime event,“ the newsagency reported him as saying.

“It is not like a normal flood where you can prepare yourself emotionally for what is to come - this was an absolute deluge, nearly 12 months’ worth in about 12 hours.

“So it was difficult for people to prepare for the damage and the massive loss to stock and livelihoods.

“But all rural communities are the same. They get around each other and support each other in difficult times - and these are very difficult times.

“These are very tough people. They just need a little help from state and federal government to get back on their feet.“

Flood damage. Picture: TAMMY SHORTEN

Cash splash for flooding victims

Extraordinary assistance grants of up to $50,000 for primary producers and up to $25,000 for small businesses hit by the recent floods in central, southern and western Queensland are now available to help communities recover.

The financial assistance is being jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said the activation of extraordinary grant assistance under the DRFA was vital to help kick-start the recovery of affected primary producers and small businesses.

“While rain is always welcome in droughtprone Queensland, these floods could not have come at a worse time, with many growers now unable to harvest their winter crops, while others have had to watch their early plantings drown,“ Ms McKenzie said.

“This assistance is in response to the extreme circumstances these hard-working primary producers and small businesses find themselves in, especially at this time of year.

“The National Recovery and Resilience Agency will continue to work closely with communities and industry to help these communities get back on their feet.“

The latest announcement is in addition to the disaster assistance already available in Banana, Balonne, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Diamantina, Goondiwindi, Flinders, Lockyer Valley, Longreach, Maranoa, Murweh, Scenic Rim, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Toowoomba and Western Downs regions.

State Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said DRFA assistance of $1 million had also been provided to the Goondiwindi Regional Council to support the recovery and resilience of that community, which the flood hit hardest.

“The people of Goondiwindi are no strangers to flood waters but the destruction on display throughout the region as a result of this most recent event is on par with some of the worst in living memory,“ Mr Miles said.

“This payment will assist the council with ongoing recovery efforts and resilience planning for future flooding events.

“I welcome the support that producers and small businesses affected by the floods can now access in the form of extraordinary grant assistance to help them through the hard times on the road to recovery.“

He said both federal and state governments would continue to assess the recovery efforts over the coming months and provide further assistance to help communities get back on their feet.

More information on the assistance available to primary producers and small businesses at the QRIDA website or freecall 1800 623 946. The Woolooga Trader is inundated by water.

Bailing out the flood-affected farmers

By Arthur Gorrie

Flood-hit primary producers can apply for major natural disaster recovery assistance, including concessional loans up $250,000 and emergency grants.

Acting Rural Communities Minister Mark Ryan announced the help, under jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Mr Ryan said the Agriculture Department had received reports of extensive damage from recent heavy rain and flash flooding across Wide Bay-Burnett, he said.

The damage affected the agriculture sector across Gympie and nearby regions.

“We have received reports of significant loss of fences and impacts to infrastructure, lost cattle, crop losses, erosion and soil loss and impact to the supply chain,“ Mr Ryan said.

“Category B assistance will help affected producers with assistance including concessional loans of up to $250,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 at a concessional interest rate, and freight subsidies of up to $5,000.

“AgForce are collecting information from producers using an online map which provides access to a survey where producers can report the flood extent on their property, animal welfare concerns and damage assessment.

Primary producers who have suffered major damage outside the above declared areas may apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration.

“An IDSP provides access to Queensland Government assistance similar to the Category B DRFA of freight subsidies and concesKrebs Bridge, between Murgon and Wondai, goes under. Picture: MALCOLM BAYNTUN