Gold Coast bushfires: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tours area as conditions intensify

Politicians have streamed into the charred Gold Coast hinterland to offer their emotional and financial support for residents impacted by bushfires.

POLITICIANS have streamed into the charred Gold Coast hinterland to offer their emotional and financial support for residents impacted by bushfires.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told firefighters clamouring for a selfie or a handshake: “In many ways you are super men, but there are limits”.

Mr Morrison thanked the firefighters and urged them to enjoy some much-needed rest, as conditions are expected to worsen this afternoon and into the weekend.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and Mr Morrison trailed closely behind Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk when they visited the hinterland today.

Scott Morrison in Canungra. Picture: Luke Mortimer

Speaking at Canungra Sports and Recreation Ground alongside his wife Jenny, Mr Morrison pledged financial support for the hinterland community, and for those affected by bushfires across Queensland and New South Wales.

From Monday, people eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance in the Scenic Rim can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance.

A range of additional hardship payments are available.

“I’m glad that Jenny and I could come here today to offer our comfort and support for those on the scene of what were inferno fires just a few days ago,” Mr Morrison said.

The Prime Minister said it was heartening to see the “incredible spirit” of the hinterland community and described the recovery as a “tremendously impressive operation.

FIRST LOOK AT DEVASTATED BINNA BURRA LODGE

From the Incident Control Centre at Canungra to the frontline, we’ve had an incredible team both locally and from interstate battling these bushfires. Everyone working together to protect the community. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/3touG0DkhU

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 13, 2019

“These natural disasters always have the most terrible of impacts, but they bring out the best in Australians in every aspect.”

Mr Morrison and Ms Frecklington, with Wright MP Scott Buccholz and Minister for Natural Disasters David Littleproud, met with firefighters, members of the CWA, volunteers and residents of the hinterland.

The Prime Minister toured the hinterland by helicopter this morning and visited Binna Burra Lodge, which was devastated by the bushfires.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also visited the Gold Coast hinterland this morning to thank firefighters for their tireless efforts.

Ms Palaszczuk visited Canungra Sports and Recreation Grounds before heading off to the command centre at Canungra Fire Station.

Scenes of devastation at Binna Burra

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The Premier also visited a recovery centre in the town, before returning to the showgrounds for an emergency management meeting.

The meeting involved Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen, Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet David Stuart and State Disaster Coordinator Steve Gollschewski.

It was also attended by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) Acting Commissioner Michael Wassing and Queensland Police Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll.

Next, the Premier will head to Stanthorpe, which has also been badly impacted by bushfires.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also been touring the fire-ravaged hinterland today.

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Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) Acting Commissioner Michael Wassing, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland Police Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll meeting at Canungra Sports and Recreation Ground. Picture: Luke Mortimer

GRANDDAUGHTER OF BINNA BURRA LODGE FOUNDER DEVASTATED BY LOSS

Emergency services have said 11 homes were lost in the hinterland, including eight in one street at Binna Burra, but assessments were ongoing.

Meanwhile, Rural Fire Service Incident Controller Kaye Healing said southerly wind gusts of more than 45kph could present a challenge today.

“It’s going to push that fire in a northerly direction,” she said.

Waterbombers have been working to contain the fires.

“We’ve got the fires still down at the east side of Lamington National Park Rd that we’re monitoring in inaccessible gullies,” Ms Healing said.

“We’re aware the winds could be a problem.

“We’ve been rotating crews quite regularly and managing our fatigue very carefully.”

Ms Healing said firefighters have a “good, solid plan in place” to prevent the bushfires spreading.

“We’re trying to keep the fire intensity low so it doesn’t build up and get a run up slope and cross Lamington National Park Rd, which is at the top of a ridge line,” she said.

Ms Healing said about 6000 hectares of land has now been burnt out.

About 40 firefighters are on the ground today from South Australia, giving hinterland brigades and those from other states a chance to rest up and sort out their own affairs.