Vision reveals impact
Tate: ‘Vital political leaders in Canberra, Brissy see extent of damage’
New aerial footage has revealed the extent of the destruction caused to Gold Coast homes ahead of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel joining the recovery effort.
The vision was captured on a chopper flight taken by Premier Steven Miles and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate across storm- and flood-ravaged suburbs – including Mount Tamborine and surrounding areas – on Tuesday afternoon.
Photographs show homes that appear to be almost completely destroyed from the air, while others have roofs missing or are strewn with trees and debris.
Mr Tate said the flight was standard practice after a disaster and revealed the destruction first-hand, showing some homes and infrastructure were “basically obliterated”.
“The Gold Coast is a large city and the opportunity to show the Premier the most impacted areas in a short time was most helpful,” he said.
“We are now at the stage where we need maximum federal and state support through the ADF, grants, and funding to help get the city and its residents back on their feet.
“It is vital that our political leaders in Canberra and Brisbane fully understand just what we have gone through and what the road to recovery looks like.”
Fifty ADF personnel are due to hit the ground on the Gold Coast on Thursday to aid with the enormous clean-up effort.
Mr Tate said on Wednesday it was yet to be decided where the ADF troops would begin.
“This will be determined in consultation with all agencies when they arrive,” he said.
“I will be announcing details around Operation Clean Up Gold Coast in the coming days so residents and the not-forprofit sector have some certainty around when they will be assisted.”
It is understood several authorities will be involved in prioritising areas of need.
A cloudy but virtually rainfree Wednesday was good news for clean-up crews, with the Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Helen Reid saying clear skies were expected for the rest of the week.
“The good news is that the large weather systems has moved further offshore,” Ms Reid said
“We could see a little bit of rainfall and possibly some thunderstorms, which could bring a couple more millimetres.”
The Bureau issued a final flood warning for the Nerang and Coomera Rivers at 9.30am Wednesday, saying river and creek levels had generally peaked and were easing.
Ms Reid said residents downstream of the Albert and Logan Rivers should remain cautious as excess water flowed out to sea.
A statement from Energex on Wednesday morning said power had been restored to more than 2600 homes in the 24 hours prior, with about 8400 still waiting to be reconnected.
New restoration estimates indicate homes in storm-battered Tamborine Mountain were expected to have power by Sunday at the latest.
Other heavily impacted suburbs including Wongawallan, Upper Coomera, and Guanaba should also regain power by the weekend.