CALL FOR RECOVERY FUNDS TO BE DIRECTED AT LOCALS:
INSURANCE companies are being urged to use local businesses when meeting claims for losses from the Townsville floods, which are likely to run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Damages assessments so far show more than 1000 homes have been severely damaged or are completely uninhabitable, while car industry leaders estimate more than 5000 vehicles will be written off.
Townsville Chamber of Commerce chief executive Marie-claude Brown said businesses were in a world of pain and desperately needed the community’s support.
“We are acutely aware that businesses and small businesses are very, very anxious right now. I think there’s never been a better time to buy local. It’s really important that we all support local business,” Ms Brown said.
“When you are faced with an opportunity to buy, make an effort to assess what Townsville has to offer. It’s the time now for really all of us to put our money where our mouth is and buy local.”
Ms Brown said the chamber was working with local and State Government groups, including the Townsville Economic Recovery Taskforce.
Dealer principal with Pickering’s Auto Group Scott Mcelligott said they didn’t expect a free ride but that insurers were giving “some guarantees” to support Townsville businesses where they could.
“I have spoken to our major insurers Suncorp and Allianz. They have given me some guarantees that they are going to try and support locals wherever they can,” Mr Mcelligott said.
“We really need that. We really need for everyone who needs to replace stuff and things that have been lost to go back to these local businesses and dig out what they can. This is a real opportunity for Townsville (community members) to support each other in these terrible times.”
Mr Mcelligott said they had reached out to their partners and Mitsubishi had supplied 10 Triton utes to help with the clean-up of Townsville.
Townsville builder and Master Builders board member Adrian Gabrielli said the floods would create a lot of work in trades such as plastering, carpentry, painting and floor covering, and that existing difficulties in the home construction market meant local contractors could quickly meet demand for work.
But he confirmed insurers typically directed work from claims through a panel of pre-qualified builders who were familiar with insurance company requirements.
Mr Gabrielli said his company A Gabrielli Constructions had been in touch with a southern-based building company that worked in the insurance market so that when work became available they could offer them local services.
“We are going to need some workers to come in but we don’t want companies to
We are going to need some workers to come in but we don’t want companies to drag in people because it’s easier. ADRIAN GABRIELLI
drag in people because it’s easier,” Mr Gabrielli said.
“We have the people here who can do the work.”
Insurance Council of Australia spokesman Campbell Fuller said insurers recognised Townsville workers and tradespeople from outside the region who participated in the reconstruction response would provide a vital economic boost to the region.
But he said the first priority of insurers was to their policyholders and making sure repairs were done to the highest standard in the shortest possible time.
“For this reason many insurers have strategic arrangements with building companies, suppliers and project managers to undertake repairs and building work,” Mr Fuller said.
“These companies often subcontract work to local builders and tradespeople if they are qualified, reputable, price competitive and have capacity.
“Some insurers also have a policy to use local firms where possible.”
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper called for the Insurance Council to give a direction to its members for the use of local trades and services.
“We have had thousands of people affected by this disaster,” Mr Harper said.
“We need to make sure we support our local businesses in this critical time in getting families back together and making sure they can use local goods and services.”