Gulf of Carpentaria begins the long awaited clean up, with new estimates of one hundred million dollars of damage

The Gulf of Carpentaria‘s damage bill could “easily double” to one hundred million dollars as the clean-up for the flooded towns begin. See what’s being done.

The Gulf of Carpentaria‘s damage bill could “easily double” to one hundred million dollars as the clean-up for the flooded towns begin.

More than 40 homes were understood to be inundated with water and only 60 people remained behind earlier this week in Burketown, after the town were asked to evacuate.

Burke Shire Mayor Ernie Camp said that now the water has dropped at least 1.4 metres, the damage was becoming more clear.

Rescue 421 over Burketown. Footage of the floods from Nautilus. Picture: supplied

“It is absolute destruction, we’ve got town houses and complexes still under a small amount of water and everything is a mess,” he said.

“This is easily the worst I’ve ever seen it, the damage will probably exceed one hundred million dollars, but that’s the least.”

The flooding has devastated the Gulf region including Normanton and Burketown which have been cut-off since January.

“Communities are slowly coming back to their homes, with essential workers invited back first,” Cr Camp said.

“Those with medical conditions will need to come home last, once the houses are inspected and cleaned and electricity is connected back to their places.”

Cr Camp said electricity was accessible to some houses and the ones with generators were the ones to suffer the most.

Helping in their venture to a flood free community, Nautilus has been offering their support since last Thursday.

Nautilus crew (L-R) Matt Schostakowiski, Tim Borresen, Luke Pagano and CEO Aaron Finn. Photo: supplied

Nautilus CEO Aaron Finn said that while the runway was closed and planes can’t get in and out, people and supplies needed to be transported by helicopter.

“It’s been a really heavy last eight days,” he said.

“We’ve been bringing in tradesmen and QFES staff, barrels of hay for cattle, and completing food drops for the people and businesses in the community.”

Nautilus have been helping with the floods throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria with bringing in hay for cattle, crews for the clean up, and food drops. Photo: supplied

Cr Camp reiterated that the Gulf will “never be flood resistant”, but there needs to be attempts to make it as resilient as possible.

“Having roads that are at least 1.5m high is one step towards flood resilience,” he said.

“It will help the liveability of Burketown and its economy.”

Today, the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner visited flood-affected North West Queensland.

Mr Furner met with locals, community leaders and primary producers in Burketown and Doomadgee who have been impacted by severe flooding, and inspected damage to properties and businesses.

He said that with such devastating floods, the government was working to make sure support is available.

“Queenslanders are no strangers to natural disasters, but it is always heartbreaking when homes and livelihoods are impacted,” he said.

“It’s important to be here in the North West to survey the damage, speak to locals and determine what assistance we can provide to help communities recover.”

Originally published as Gulf of Carpentaria begins the long awaited clean up, with new estimates of one hundred million dollars of damage