Slow and soggy: life goes on in isolated flood-hit town
For now, Narelle Hetherington has a motel full of stranded travelers; this is a blessing in a traditionally hot, rainy and calm season.
But as the sun finally begins to set again in north-west Queensland, Ms Hetherington, who runs the Winton Outback Motel, knows bad times are ahead.
Cancellations are increasing due to the region being flooded by monsoon rains during the Christmas and New Year period.
“A terrible month is coming,” he told AAP.
But this is nothing new.
Expecting the unexpected is a way of life in Winton.
“This is due to uncertainty,” Ms Hetherington said. “Natives, we’re all used to it.”
The situation is different for people who have been stranded in the town for more than a week.
“It’s hard for them,” Ms Hetherington said.
When asked about the town’s morale, Ms. Hetherington was blunt.
“There’s an open bar, man. As long as it’s not closed, everyone’s happy.”
Irene Moore, who runs the only bar called the North Gregory Hotel, says they are having a hard time keeping up.
The few remaining staff at this time of year are working 100 hours a week.
“We’re just putting one foot in front of the other right now,” Ms. Moore said.
The roads are beginning to open again, allowing weary travelers to finally hit the road after an unexpectedly extended stay.
Some occupied themselves with puzzles and coloring books, while others took advantage of the pool tables and washing machines at the local disaster recovery center.
Further north, at Argyle Station near Julia Creek, the biggest challenge for pastoralist Patrick Hick is navigating the sticky black soil plains.
“The other day it took me 30 minutes to cover 100 metres,” he said.
Mr Hick said he hoped to get to the city “by a variety of means”, with the forecast forecast for the first full day of sunshine in more than two weeks.
Local black soil becomes a source of glue when wet.
The cattle avoid this by congregating on a few patches of hard ground, where they begin to starve.
Many are now succumbing to pneumonia.
Mr. Hick is helpless to help them.
“That’s the hardest thing for us in this game,” he said.
Winton Shire Council mayor Cathy White said the situation was not as serious as it was at the beginning of 2019, when almost half a million cattle, already in poor condition due to the previous drought, were killed by flooding.
“We had good seasons leading up to this event, so they are in much better shape than 2019,” he said.
For Ms Hetherington, it’s just part of life in the Queensland outback.
“Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is what we specialize in,” he said.
“Send all your company executives here. Maybe they can learn something.”
