Chopper restocks Ingham Woolworths as floods cut off road access

Pallets of drinking water and essential groceries, have been flown into Ingham today by an ADF Chinook as the community remains isolated by floodwaters. Watch the video.

Pallets of drinking water and essential groceries were flown into Ingham by an ADF Chinook on Wednesday as the community remains isolated by floodwaters.

Woolworths, in partnership with the federal government and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), has mobilised to ensure residents have access to much-needed supplies.

Scott Mackay, FNQ operations manager, said Woolworths had been working tirelessly to support flood-affected residents in Ingham.

Speaking at the Townsville Regional Distribution Centre on Wednesday, he highlighted ongoing efforts to deliver essentials, including water, fresh food, baby formula, and toilet paper, via ADF helicopters.

“Late last night, we also heard that the drinking water in Ingham, potentially, was at risk,” Mr. Mackay said.

Scott Mackay, FNQ operations manager Woolworths supermarkets, at Townsville Regional Distribution Centre. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We swung into action, and the company’s actually donated upwards of 24 pallets of our 24-pack water, which is being shipped out to the Townsville RAAF base today for Ingham.”

Flights to Ingham will continue on a “regular basis” until road access can be restored.

Mr Mackay explained that each chopper can transport about 15 pallets of goods at one time, ensuring a steady flow of stock into the town.

He reassured residents that the use of alternative transport would not impact prices.

“Absolutely not,” he said when asked about potential price increases.

“Thankfully the federal government has helped us to do these flights, so it’s all about getting stock into the community.”

In addition to the emergency airlifts into Ingham, Woolworths, with government assistance, is also running regular flights from Brisbane to Cairns, delivering about 20 pallets of goods for supermarkets in the region.

The Townsville Regional Distribution Centre. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Meanwhile, supply chains to other North Queensland locations are improving.

With trucks now able to travel up the Bruce Highway to Townsville from the south, Mr Mackay said stock levels at the regional distribution centre in Mount St John were healthy.

“We had stock flow through Townsville through plenty of our warehouses, which you’ll see stock flowing in supermarkets and our stores here in Townsville, including Mount Isa and Charters Towers,” he said.

“We have plenty of stock out there in those regional locations and south from here in Mackay. We’ve obviously had stocks flow into Mackay, including things like fresh fruit and vegetables and meat. You’ll see the shelves get replenished quite quickly down there.”

Originally published as Chopper restocks Ingham Woolworths as floods cut off road access