Open but in recovery mode

THE Gold Coast is open for business - but major swathes of the city need a hand. The priority right now for the residents worst-affected by the freak Christmas storm and service staff helping them is recovery and rebuilding from the catastrophic damage to homes and ongoing power outages.

Getting through the next few days and weeks will be testing and already has been since the cyclonic storm and winds blasted the Gold Coast on Monday night.

People have emerged from their Christmas slumber straight into a natural disaster. The SES staff, council staff and other emergency service personnel - many who have ditched festive time with family and holidays to pitch in - are in the same boat.

Many are suffering in heat without relief as they clear areas and restore their homes. In the worst cases, some people’s residences are uninhabitable.

Problems abound - including power outages to at one stage traffic lights at 86 intersections. But that was being addressed police as the Bulletin went to press on Thursday.

For all the effort going into the disaster-struck areas, large parts of the Gold Coast including its coastal strip along the beachfront is largely unaffected.

Credit to the city’s theme park giants Village Roadshow and Dreamworld for taking the time to assess their operations and any damage before largely being all reopened from today. For example, popular attraction - especially in summer - Wet ‘n’ Wild was back in action on Thursday and features in the Bulletin today highlighting the city remains open for business.

It is a point worth dwelling on. It remains holiday season and one of the busiest times of year on the Gold Coast for visitation and downtime.

It is critical the awareness is broadcast about the untouched parts of the Coast at this time.

But not detract from the muchneeded help required by those battling in Tamborine, Helensvale, Coomera, Paradise Point, Runaway Bay, Wongawallan and many other parts of the stormstruck Gold Coast.

Now more than ever is a time to reach out to neighbours in your area who might be struggling with the after-affects.