Calls for more ADF support in far north Queensland clean-up

Councils in flood-ravaged parts of far north Queensland have called for help from the Australian Defence Force as the clean-up through the region continues weeks after Cyclone Jasper’s deluge.

The remains of the Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre and cafe at Wujal Wujal after the flood that peaked on December 17. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Councils in flood-ravaged parts of far north Queensland have called for help from the Australian Defence Force as the clean-up through the region continues weeks after Cyclone Jasper’s deluge.

An internal operation report devised by the neighbouring Douglas Shire, Cook Shire and Wujal Wujal councils has urged the National Emergency Management Agency to commit assistance from the Australian Defence Force to set up temporary accommodation for displaced residents to return to their community, and specialists for barging to get supplies into areas that are still cut off by damage.

Douglas Shire Council mayor Michael Kerr said he did not understand why it had taken so long to get support up north, adding that it was “disappointing” that ADF officers were already on the ground on the Gold Coast following the severe Christmas and Boxing Day storms.

Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr at the weekend after visiting Wujal Wujal.

“We need help, this is too big,” Mr Kerr told The Australian.

“I don’t think people actually realise the amount of destruction up there. It’s an absolute mess.”

More than 160 defence force personnel were on the ground from December 17 for almost a fortnight, supporting the evacuation and resupply of towns cut off by flood waters and the co-ordination of the emergency response.

No formal request for ADF support for assistance has been received by the federal government, with the internal operation report the first step to get the ball rolling. Queensland Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said at the weekend a request for soldiers to be deployed had been made to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

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

The near-300 people evacuated from the Wujal Wujal have been moved from an evacuation centre in Cooktown into caravans and hotel rooms in the area after just 56 homes in the township were able to be salvaged. But Mr Kerr said residents were “desperate to come home”.

In a message to residents on Friday, Wujal Wujal major Bradley Creek said the clean-up was “getting under way”, with the town looking forward to getting “more manpower” from local ranger groups and Queensland Fire and Emergency services early this week.

“Wujal Wujal is really progressing now, it is going to take the long haul,” Mr Creek said. “We will be back sooner than later.”

Cape Tribulation has been cut off since the height of the storms three weeks ago, when more than 1500mm of rain fell in a matter of days and caused landslides and significant damage to roads.

Further thunderstorms are expected to affect the region later this week, running the risk of more damage.