Rudd- Abbott praise stoicism of flood victims

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he has spoken to the mayors of many of the flood stricken communities in Queensland.

Commonwealth assistance is being provided to 58 local government areas affected by flood waters over the past few weeks.

Mr Rudd has told Federal Parliament the thoughts of all Australians are with those who have been affected.

"Having spoken to so many of these mayors over the weekend, it's plain that the locals are bearing up very well under the pressures which they face," he said.

"There is nothing like the stoicism of the local communities in an around these towns in south western Queensland, who have experienced floods many times before and they're deploying again the stoicism and the resolve that we've seen in dealing with these challenges today."

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has joined the Prime Minister in expressing his sympathy to those who have been affected.

"Events like this are very traumatic for residents but we admire the stoicism with which they have met this challenge," he said.

"Obviously events like this are very challenging for our emergency services personnel, but again we admire the professionalism with which they have met this challenge."Cash grants

The State and Federal Governments are offering grants for farmers and small businesses affected by flooding.

Premier Anna Bligh says the jointly-funded grants are in addition to other payments for individuals and interest-free loans for property owners.

Ms Bligh says payments of either $5,000 or $20,000 dollars are available.

"Many small businesses and a number of rural properties have seen both stock losses and property damage," she said.

"In the case of small business, they've had serious economic impact as the floods have closed down their businesses for many, many days.

"These grants will provide real assistance in cash grant form."Counting the cost

Many farmers are waiting for the floodwaters to recede before they can assess the extent of the damage to their livelihoods.

Floodwaters peaked in the south-west Queensland town of Quilpie a week ago, yet graziers are only now able to get out and assess the extent of the damage.

Stephen Tully runs Bunginderry Station and is the local chairman of AgForce.

"It's just dry enough to get around so I've started to have a look," he said.

"The first 15 dams that I've come across to check what condition they are in, 12 have major damage to them.

"The fencing seems to be holding up in a reasonable condition but we'd have now two to three kilometres washed down - mainly flood fence, which is quite expensive to fix."

But the major concern of graziers is their stock.

"I've found some dead sheep in three or four different places," Mr Tully said.

"The water was so high and so fast-flowing that if a mob was caught in water they could easily be dispersed."

Mr Tully said he would guarantee that every property in southern Queensland had lost stock and it was just a matter of how many animals.

"All the sheep in Queensland have survived 10 years of drought and they haven't survived without people putting a lot of time and effort into them and a lot of money into keeping them alive," he said.

"Sheep are worth a lot of money and now the boom times look like they could possibly be here, but those sheep, any loss is going to really affect the bottom lines and the morale of people."Cotton farmers

Cotton farmers are also affected; Cotton Australia's chief executive Adam Kay said farmers had been preparing to start harvesting their crops in the next fortnight.

"Some crop has gone under water and that probably means that it can't be salvaged," Mr Kay said.

"But there's also potentially been damage to farm infrastructure and that's certainly costly to repair."

Neil Duncan is the managing director of the Western Exporters abattoir, based at Charleville.

"We've had to lay off 180 staff. That is basically all our staff that we do have and that ranges from farm hands to office staff, truck drivers right through to our meat workers," Mr Duncan said.

"They were laid off mid-week last week and we don't know when or if they will actually be put back on at this stage."

Mr Duncan was exporting meat all over the world.

"We've probably lost about $800,000 worth of contracts that had to be cancelled, and probably another month of contracts there that will have to be cancelled because we won't be able to fulfil our obligations," he said.

"A truck can't drive from Charleville to the Port of Brisbane because there are road restrictions [because of] the damage the floods have done.

"So we are unable to get finished product, which we still have in the freezers, to the wharves."Roads damaged

Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says flooding has damaged more than 1,000 kilometres of the state's road network.

Mr Wallace says crews have begun assessing damage in the state's south-west.

He is visiting Roma this afternoon.

"The roads have copped a hammering," he said.

"So far around 1,300 kilometres of the state's road network have been damaged by floodwaters.

"Only when the waters recede will we know the full extent of the damage."

... read original article
Tue 9th March 2010 - 04:25pm