Premier Steven Miles visits ADF at Gold Coast ahead of Far North trip

The SES is now working in remote Far North communities devastated by flooding but Premier Steven Miles is yet to seek ADF help, although the ADF has been deployed at the Gold Coast following storms.

State Premier Steven Miles will not commit to Australian Defence Force (ADF) assistance for the devastated communities of Wujal Wujal and Degarra almost four weeks after unprecedented flooding that sent people fleeing to rooftops.

Degarra residents have pleaded for boots on the ground and heavy duty help to restore the demolished community.

The flooding peaked on December 17.

The SES arrived on January 4.

Premier Steven Miles, who visited the ADF assisting at the Gold Coast following ferocious storms before visiting the Far North, which experienced floods exceeding the 1977 disaster from December 14 to 17, announced a $5m tourism recovery package in Cairns on Friday. Picture: Adam Head

Speaking at a press conference to announce a $5m tourism recovery package, Mr Miles said SES and the Rural Fire Service were doing a great job and he had assurances from Federal Emergency Minister Senator Murray Watt that the Federal Government would provide what was needed.

But the state government is yet to ask for help.

Premier Steven Miles met with the ADF, which has been deployed at the Gold Coast following storms, before he visited the Far North to announce a $5m tourism recovery package. Remote Far North communities are pleading for ADF help. Picture: Adam Head

“We just need to ask … will see first-hand what will be required and that support will be ready to come in as the SES and rural fire finish their job, to clean up.”

He said Queensland Reconstruction Authority chief executive Jake Ellwood had been managing the situation in an orderly fashion.

The home of much-loved resident Ray Dark, 85, before the floods at Degarra. Mr Dark is missing. Picture: Supplied

The retired Major General was national co-ordinator for the ADF’s response to the black summer bushfires of 2019-20 and has served in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.

“We need to focus on the reconnection of essential services, water, sewerage and power … then the heavy work of essentially having to rebuild a big section of the town,” Mr Miles said.

All that is left of the home of missing community member Ray Dark at Degarra. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Senator Nita Green said there was a big task ahead and road access was precarious.

She said the emphasis was on getting barges with equipment in and the Harbourmaster was assessing where silt and sand had moved to understand the tonnage of barges.

“That is happening now and it is happening really quickly,” she said.

Work to repair Far North roads following unprecedented flooding could take four to six weeks to re-open but there may be two years worth of repair work, with the potential for load limit, State MP for Cairns Michael Healy said on Friday. Picture: Supplied

Ms Green said there were health clinics and social workers in the communities.

“The Premier is going to see first-hand for himself today what needs to be done so that we can get these things moving, when the Queensland Government asks for assistance it will be provided,” she said.

Degarra resident Philip Carlton, who has been helping get essential supplies in to the community since the devastating floods on December 17, stands next to a caravan that has been washed away. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Wujal Wujal residents were evacuated over three days from December 19 by the ADF using Chinook helicopters but the ADF’s presence in the Far North ended on Dcember 29.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Terry James called for military assistance during the flood and Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr echoed the plea for help.

The remnants of a truck lay across the river from Wujal Wujal amid fallen trees. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

State MP for Cairns Michael Healy said teams were working 24 hours on roads.

“We have experienced an unprecedented event, we are doing everything at a state and federal level and even at a local government level, we’ve never faced anything on this scale,” Mr Healy said.

A tattered menu from the heavily damaged cafe at Wujal Wujal. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

He said it could take four to six weeks to get roads open, but there could be two years of work on the roads.

“The road may look fine on the top, but it’s washed away underneath,” he said.

State MP for Cook Cynthia Lui was a notable absence from the press conference, although her electorate includes key tourism destinations of Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

A large tree lays across the roof of a home at Wujal Wujal. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Asked why Ms Lui had not visited desperate tourism operators in Cape Tribulation and had visited the devastated township of Wujal Wujal but not committed to assistance rebuilding, the Premier would only say that she was travelling to Cape Tribulation on Friday.

“I’ll be joining Cynthia in Cape Tribulation in an hour or so (and) the Emergency Services Minister (Mark Ryan) is similarly visiting towns which will include Wujal Wujal,” Mr Miles said.

Originally published as Premier Steven Miles visits ADF at Gold Coast ahead of Far North trip