SAFE AND SOUND
Stranded Townsville students flown home
A MAJOR rescue operation was launched yesterday to bring home more than 70 Willows State School children and teachers stranded near Tully by floodwaters.
Army troop carriers, light planes and a helicopter ferried the group, trapped at an adventure camp since Wednesday, to Townsville via Tully.
Meanwhile, floodwaters in Ingham are receding but the highway north of the town is expected to be cut for another two days.
THE Queensland spirit is on show in Ingham despite a natural disaster leaving hundreds of homes flooded across the town.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk flew in by helicopter yesterday to see the damage first- hand and speak with affected residents.
“About 90 per cent of properties have had some impact from the floodwaters,” she said.
“It’s great to see how resilient this community is; they’ve seen it before, they know what to do and I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by their positive attitude.”
The Premier met a number of people who had water through their houses, including Nigel and Brenda Strong.
Mr Strong said they were not expecting to see Ms Palaszczuk in town but said it was a nice surprise.
“We were lucky we only had about half a metre of water coming through,” he said.
Although they consider themselves lucky, Mr Strong said it would take a lot to clean up downstairs at home.
“There’s a lot to do, just hosing things out and bringing stuff down from upstairs and reorganising things.”
Mrs Strong said Ms Palaszczuk asked them about how they were doing and told them about what financial help was available.
Although the flood is continuing to drop, roads remain blocked throughout Ingham but people can now get from one side of town to the other, for the first time since Friday.
Ms Palaszczuk said the Bruce Highway was still blocked and numerous communities were still isolated.
“We’re making sure that we can get supplies to them as much as possible,” she said.
It was still unclear last night when the highway would reopen, although it could be cut north of Ingham for another two days.
“Floodwater across the Bruce Highway north of Ing- ham is fast flowing and is expected to take another three days to recede,” a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said last night.
“While there is still water over the road at multiple locations at Ingham, police are allowing local residents only to pass through Frances and Cattle Creek area and flood areas in the vicinity of Andy’s Roadhouse, to access much needed supplies and services in the Ingham CBD.”
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee wanted to send one message to the people of North Queensland and Ingham.
“The event is not over yet. It’s great that, particularly in Ingham, preparation and common sense, people thinking before they act, has worked for us,” he said. “Just stay prepared as we don’t know what the weather will do over the coming three to four weeks.
“But the resilience of Queenslanders, particularly North Queenslanders, continues to astound me.”
Ms Palaszczuk said with more possible bad weather predicted in the coming week, the situation would be monitored closely.
“I don’t think the people in the southeast realise how much impact this flood has had on this region and the surrounding communities,” she said.
One of the keys to Ingham standing up so well was preparation, according to Hinchinbrook Mayor and head of the Local Disaster Management Group Ramon Jayo.
Cr Jayo said using technology like the early warning system, the internet and social media had made a big difference.
“Getting the information out is so easy but we have to give credit to our people,” he said.
“People know where to look and they can take charge of their own destiny; all that information empowers them to make decisions they need to make.
“I do believe the technology and ability to get information out … is just tremendous. We are definitely better prepared and smarter.”
Ms Palaszczuk said disaster aid was now available and damage assessors would be on the ground soon.
“We are working with the Federal Government to get assistance out as fast as possible,” she said.
There are different levels of funding for people, small businesses and farmers, as well as the council for fixing infrastructure.
“It’s about $ 180 initially for an individual and up to $ 900 for a family,” Ms Palaszczuk said. People can download the Self Recovery app for information or to apply for grants, including Emergency Hardship Grants or make an application through the Community Recovery online portal at www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au.
For those without internet, phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
I DON’T THINK THE PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHEAST REALISE HOW MUCH IMPACT THIS FLOOD HAS HAD ON THIS REGION AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK