Queenslanders of whom houses are damaged and the washed-out livestock will gain access to a multimillion-dollar rescue package aimed at helping the state’s north rebuild after devastating floods.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese traveled to the outback town of Cloncurry to announce $38 million in financial support for flood-affected communities.
“These disaster packages will ensure that Queenslanders affected by floods can recover and, importantly, build back stronger,” Albanese said in a statement.
The package includes $21.5 million in grants for affected farmers – up to $75,000 each – with $10,000 of that available immediately.
It also includes $11.5 million for repairs and upgrades to the flood resilience of Cloncurry Airport, which has been badly damaged, limiting air access.
State and federal governments have already announced $2 million to help farmers drop feed for livestock isolated by flooding, and the latest package includes a $5 million boost to that program.
The package is jointly funded by the Federal Government and the Queensland Government.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who traveled with the Albanians, said the flood-affected areas were a crucial part of the country’s economy.
“We know the people, communities and industries of regional Queensland play a vital role in our country and its economy, and we are there for them every step of the way,” he said.
Farmers say about 16,500 cattle are dead or missing in the floodwaters, raising fears of major financial losses in the agriculturally rich region.
The flooding also claimed one life: a man in his 70s who was found dead in his car, surrounded by floodwaters.
Parts of McKinlay Shire, east of Mount Isa, had seen worse flooding than in 2019, Mayor Janene Fegan said.
“Many locals compare it to the 1974 floods because of how long it has been going on,” she said.
“There will be significant livestock losses and at the moment all road access points to get out are closed.”
Farmers faced a difficult wait to access flooded areas and count their lost livestock, Fegan said.
“It’s also a very difficult time mentally. It’s not an easy task,” she said.
Flood damage to about 800km of fencing and 1,400km of private roads has also been reported to the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.
Meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty said while the floods affected livestock differently to the 2019 disaster, there were still concerns about further losses.
“It’s very local (and in) a breeding area… they could die from hypothermia and their losses could be more than 50,000,” he said.
Heavy rainfall in north-west Queensland has eased, causing widespread minor to major flooding in western and northern areas, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“But even in these places where rainfall could ease, we will continue to see river flooding,” said senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury.
North Queensland is facing a potential tropical cyclone, with a tropical low – with a 35 per cent chance of developing into a cyclone – forming in the northern Coral Sea on Saturday, the agency predicts.
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