Wujal Wujal mayor Bradley Creek speaks after record flood, cyclone

Just days after escaping record floods and a cyclone, hundreds of Wujal Wujal residents are ready to return and rebuild. The mayor has fought back the tears until he couldn’t any longer.

Just days after escaping record floods and a cyclone, hundreds of Wujal Wujal residents are ready to return and rebuild.

Bradley Creek fought the tears until he couldn’t any longer.

“It’s been pretty emotional,” the Wujal Wujal mayor said, reflecting on his community’s week from hell.

“I’ll be honest mate, I had a moment to myself the other day and broke down.

“But at the end of the day, I’ve got to stay strong for my community.”

Wujal Wujal mayor Bradley Creek says the entire community of Wujal Wujal has been evacuated following the flood emergency, with the majority of the town staying at the Cooktown PCYC, which is set up as an evacuation centre by the Australian Red Cross. Picture: Brendan Radke

On Thursday Mr Creek flew to Cooktown to meet with almost 200 evacuees from the remote Indigenous community who are residing in the town’s disaster centre and nearby lodgings.

But the campaign to rebuild the community, re-open the Bloomfield Track and Captain Cook Highway and improve critical infrastructure has already started.

Australian Army personnel carry supplies off a cargo plane at Cooktown Airport. The entire community of Wujal Wujal has been evacuated following the flood emergency, with the majority of the town staying at the Cooktown PCYC, which is set up as an evacuation centre by the Australian Red Cross. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s the top priority (to re-open the roads) so we’ve got access and we can clean up Wujal Wujal again,” Mr Creek said.

“The main thing is cleaning up the debris and starting to assess the houses. We want to be back soon. That’s why I’m here – to talk to key Ministers about it.

Australian Army personnel unload a pallet of donated breakfast cereal at the Cooktown PCYC. The entire community has been evacuated following the flood emergency, with the majority of the town staying at the Cooktown PCYC, which is set up as an evacuation centre by the Australian Red Cross. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s really important because the only way in now at the moment is by helicopter.”

Wujal Wujal resident Coraleen Shipton wept as she recalled the horror of seeing friends and family trapped on roofs fighting to survive.

“We’re refugees,” Ms Shipton said. “When will the government and the politicians help. We just want to be home.”

Wujal Wujal residents Josie Olbar and Roderick Nunn stand outside the Cooktown PCYC. The entire community has been evacuated, with the majority of the town staying at the Cooktown PCYC, which is set up as an evacuation centre by the Australian Red Cross. Picture: Brendan Radke

Restoring critical infrastructure in Wujal Wujal and surrounding areas must occur soon, Cook Shire CEO Brian Joiner said.

“We can live with a dirt road if we have to,” Mr Joiner said.

“We need to bash it out as quickly as possible. Get the bush track going and people moving backwards and forwards again.

Cooktown Community Kindergarten Director Nardia Whitman has coordinated a Christmas toy drive to help children affected by the severe flooding in Wujal Wujal. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We just want to get our people to their normal lives as soon as possible and that’s why it’s critical the government gets stuff done.”

But Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt warned rebuilding Wujal Wujal would take time.

“What we’ve been hearing from people is that it’s really important to get home as quickly as you can,” he told Wujal Wujal residents at a community meeting.

“But the conditions in Wujal Wujal are pretty rough. There are a lot of trashed homes, a lot of mud, the water, the power, there’s a lot to be done.

“That’s work that we’ve got to start doing … it will take a bit of time but we’re really committed to that happening.”

Mr Creek, whose wife is due to give birth imminently at Cairns hospital, said how the community is rebuilt must also be considered.

“I’m hoping that we get the support we need,” he said.

“We need an evacuation centre in our community and funding for houses in higher ground.”

Originally published as Wujal Wujal mayor Bradley Creek speaks after record flood, cyclone