Brigadier Field to lead defence taskforce in recovery effort
THE Australian Defence Force is at the ready to assist cyclone- hit communities, with Townsville- based Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Christopher Field AM CSC placed in charge of the recovery effort.
Brigadier Field said a joint taskforce of the army, navy and air force was on standby as they waited to see the full impact of Tropical Cyclone Debbie. “We’re prepared and ready to go but it will depend on the needs of the state and local government,” he said.
“If our assets are needed, we’ll get in there and start to help the people of North Queensland.
“We’re also North Queenslanders and we need to stand shoulder to shoulder with the community.”
Brigadier Field said there were a variety of ways the ADF could support towns and cities.
“We have engineer assets so pre- dominantly there’s a role for us fixing critical infrastructure such as roads to make sure the public can get about their business,” he said.
“Helicopters here out of Townsville will be placed on standby and could be used to look at those disaster areas.
“Naval ships are also there to be loaded up with supplies while the air force are also looking at B300 King Airs to provide assistance.”
Brigadier Field said he had faith in the abilities of troops to help residents.
“It is what the ADF does a lot of training on. We’re confident we’ll be able to bring North Queensland back to a state where the communities are thriving again,” he said.
“We have people forward- deployed in Rockhampton, Mackay, Bowen and Charters Towers and we have other people on standby.
“A few days ago we thought Townsville was going to be under threat and we’ll move to where we need to be.
“That’s the great thing about our capabilities.”
In parliament, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Brigadier Field was the right man to head the recovery.
“I note that following the floods of 2011 he was the chief of operations and planning for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority,” Mr Turnbull said. “Our emergency services are the best in the world and they are ready to respond as soon as … Debbie passes.
“There are around 1000 people de- ployed or on standby to assists and we thank them for their courage and commitment, their selfless service.”
Mr Turnbull said the Federal Government had a role to play in minimising the impact to families caught in the path of the system.
“We are also working with the insurance and banking sectors to ensure all factors are taken into consideration when claims are made by household and businesses in relation to this cyclone,” he said.