Communities in state’s far north prepare for prolonged impacts as roads cut
Hundreds of thousands of cattle died in floods in north-west Queensland in 2019, but the prime minister said livestock were heading into potential disaster in better shape this year.
“Many people will remember these images from 2019, they were distressing and at this stage it looks like the impact on the stock will be much less,” he said.
He said there would still be an impact and the government was ready to intervene to provide fodder. “We are here to help in any way, shape or form.”
The Queensland Disaster Management Committee met on Tuesday morning to meet with affected local councils and disaster assistance was activated for five north Queensland councils.
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Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond district councils have all been approved for financial assistance by the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements joint scheme.
The extra funding will support local councils’ response, clean-up and recovery, including emergency road works and repairs to public assets.
Crisafulli emphasized that the government is prepared for these weather conditions and is confident that it can overcome it.
“There have been major declines in the north and northwest, but there is wet season rain and although there have been some major declines, both official and unofficial, we have every confidence that local people will be able to cope.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie echoed his message, urging travelers in the area to pay close attention to conditions and relevant warnings and to stay out of floodwaters.
“It’s not just you and your family you’re potentially putting at risk when you even consider driving through floodwater,” he said.
“Our first responders, our police, our SES volunteers, our swift water rescue personnel are the ones who will be called upon to rescue you from these conditions.”
from AAP
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