Down and at ‘breaking point’ for Wongawallan businesses
Small businesses owners and residents in the Gold Coast’s hardest hit areas are at “breaking point” as they deal with damage from cyclonic storms and a New Year’s deluge.
Theodore MP Mark Boothman made an emotional plea from Wongawallan’s decimated Spectrum Plant on Tuesday on behalf of gutted owner Wesley Trevor to Queensland Premier Steven Miles.
“My residents, they’re at breaking point, and I just want to say to the Premier – ‘where are you mate?’
“We need help down here,” Mr Boothman said becoming emotional as he detailed impacts from the past fortnight that had been “too much” for locals.
Soon after Premier Mile travelled to the Gold Coast amid the severe weather to inspect damaged businesses.
Mr Trevor, has been at his Wongawallan property for 30 years, and said he was down at least $250,000 in lost stock with damage now “half a million dollars” as of Tuesday.
Mr Trevor has been without power, internet and phone service since the storms hit on December 25.
“A week ago we were hit by a tornado which basically destroyed the buildings [and the] infrastructure and did a little bit of plant damage, but on New Year’s Day, we were flooded,” he said.
“Ten inches deeper than we have ever seen, and it went through the nursery, and wiped out about 40,000 plants.”
Mr Trevor said his business has been “wrecked” and will take years to financially recover.
“We can rebuild everything here in six to 12 months but financially it will be years.”
Mr Trevor said his main concern was keeping 15 staff employed.
“I can’t see how I’m going to generate enough cash flow to keep my staff, which is $10,000 a week,” he said. “I’m not one for handouts, but we need help.”
Roads had turned to rivers and rivers turned to rapids in parts of the Gold Coast.
Joining Mr Boothman, Opposition leader David Crisafulli said Queenslanders were being “tested like never before” .
“The financial payments to individuals and families have to flow quickly,” he said.
“Businesses have thrown out tens of thousands of dollars of stock, businesses that haven’t had electricity and been able to trade, staff members who are casual haven’t got a shift,” he said.
“I also want to know that we can get serious about resilience, my vision is for Queensland to be the most disaster resilient state in the nation.”