Growers count costs of cyclone damage

The Queensland government has begun to assess the damage to banana crops in the state’s far north from Cyclone Niran.

The Queensland government has begun to assess the damage to banana crops in the state’s far north from Cyclone Niran.

Assessment teams have been deployed to determine the financial impact of the destruction on the $600m industry, as growers continue cleaning up.

Growers along the Cassowary Coast have reported crop losses of between 20 and 100 per cent after winds of more than 120km/h destroyed plants.

Boogan and Wangan, near Innisfail, were worst hit, with growers reporting total losses.

Damage was also recorded from Fishery Falls to Cowley, Mission Beach and El Arish, and inland across to Walk­amin and the Atherton Tablelands.

State Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said damage assessments must be carried out before growers could access federal government disaster aid.

“We know how hard they work to put great Queensland bananas in homes across the nat­ion, and it is tough for them when weather causes this kind of setback,” Mr Furner said.

“Individual property owners who have suffered significant loss because of the cyclone can apply immediately for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property declaration, which makes immediate assistance available.”

Assessments are expected to be completed by the end of the week. Producers can already access up to $5000 for freight costs and low-interest loans up to $250,000 through the state government.

The slow-moving cyclone strengthened to category-3 on Thursday morning and began to pick up speed as it moved southeast out to sea. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jackson Browne said Tropical Cyclone Niran would likely intensify in coming days.

The cyclone is forecast to pass between Norfolk Island and New Caledonia on Saturday.