Timely help
The work will go and the show must go on too in tourism capital Gold Coast
ATEXT to the editor today alludes to whether what are being characterised as “delays” to Federal support for Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim region clean ups are political given the Glitter Strip is seen as largely liberal and Mayor “Tommy” has put himself offside with a lot of people.
Hardly. You can understand the conspiracy. But the truth behind any perceived delay to support from resources such as the Australian Defence Force which is effectively a redeployment from the readiness to defend the nation is far more banal.
As reported in The Australian on Thursday, back in April a defence strategic review warned the ADF’s primary objective was “defending Australia” and that natural disasters had already “negatively impacted force preparedness, readiness and combat effectiveness”.
It’s a bit like Covid financial support - it couldn’t have gone on forever. There is no doubting the Gold Coast and other regions are in the grips of a full blown double whammy natural disaster with the biblical Christmas night storm that wreaked havoc particularly in the northern Gold Coast.
The following flash flooding on New Year’s Day was the ultimate kick in the guts for many still reeling.
No question the Gold Coast needs help as do those other regions. It has finally arrived despite April’s defence review warning in the form of 33 ADF force personnel on Thursday, immediately put to work in worst affected areas of the hinterland and Upper Coomera. Another 20 are arriving on Friday.
It comes as the State Premier Steven Miles, back from holidays he already cut short to take a chopper tour of affected areas freed up $1 million each for the three affected councils to help pay for the much-needed clearing work of trees and debris.
The work will go on and as such the show must go too in the tourism capital Gold Coast. This Saturday marks the start of Magic Millions horse racing week with The Wave race day before glamour polo and showjumping at The Spit on Sunday. The Magic Millions has a history of fundraising and supporting causes of the day and this will no doubt be no different.