Beer company sends tinnies of help in a can to disaster areas

Queenslanders hit by bushfires or natural disasters will be cracking open tinnies, compliments of a brewery at Yatala. But the contents will not be beer.

IN an Australian first, free canned water will be distributed to Queenslanders whose water supply is cut off during natural disasters.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford launched the relief program at Carlton & United Breweries’ Yatala Brewery on Monday.

Thousands of cans of water are stacked ready to be sent to disaster areas.

The program is partnership between CUB the State Government and not-for-profit organisation GIVIT.

The program kicked off when cans were sent to Gladstone to help those affected by the fires.

“And there are plentiful supplies ready to go out across summer if people lose their water supply due to other natural disasters such as cyclones or storms,” Mr Crawford said.

“This will help ensure people in need get clean drinking water, which is vital to the health and safety of our communities, especially after a disaster.

“CUB has committed to this program for the long haul and already plans are in place for the initiative to continue for several years.”

Yatala is the biggest brewery in Australia and a significant contributor to Queensland’s economy, with more than 250 employees.

These packs of water at the CUB brewery in Tassie will be similar to those which will be stacked at the Yatala brewery before they are ready to be taken by truck to areas where there is no fresh drinking water.

CUB Queensland regional sales director Mick McKeown said at least 100,000 cans would be stored at a Heathwood site, near Yatala.

“We’ve helped deliver this initiative because we want to support the Queensland community, which has always supported us,” Mr McKeown said.

“Queensland received these cans before anywhere else in Australia because it’s where many of our worst disasters hit. It’s also home to our Yatala Brewery, which employs hundreds.

“Clean drinking water is vital which is why we’re proud to partner with the Queensland Government and not-for-profit GIVIT to ensure it gets to where it’s needed.”