‘Big difference’: Blueprints to rebuild flooded Far North towns enter final stages

Major plans to rebuild townships in partnership with the Australian Defence Force are finally underway, relieved mayors say.

A tree smashed into the Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre during the devastating floods in Wujal Wujal that lasted from December 13-17, 2023. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Hope is returning to flood-hit communities in remote parts of Far North Queensland with major plans to rebuild townships in partnership with the Australian Defence Force underway.

Disaster recovery agencies met with Wujal Wujal mayor Bradley Creek on Saturday in the evacuated town and visited nearby Degarra, with military support expected within the week.

The Queensland government has requested the ADF be deployed to the Far North with the National Emergency Management Agency currently assessing the application.

The inside of Wujal Wujal's derelict art gallery highlights the power of the floods and the challenges community's face in their clean up efforts.

With more than 300 residents forced to leave prior to Christmas, Mr Creek said the military’s presence couldn’t come soon enough.

“They’d make a big difference,” he said.

“More manpower would speed things up.

“We’ve got 56 houses that weren’t flooded, so I’d like to see people moving back in there once the power and water is back.

“The ones who have been completely inundated may have to wait a few months longer.

“But my hope is to have essential services up-and-running quickly.”

Wujal Wujal mayor Bradley Creek is one of hundreds of residents who lost his home in the Far North floods. Picture: Brendan Radke

It’s understood establishing a portable city on the outskirts of the remote Indigenous community is being considered with flatpack units to provide temporary accommodation for workers.

Douglas Shire mayor Michael Kerr, who travelled with Mr Creek, said the news had buoyed spirits across the region.

“You could just see the hope it gave people,” Mr Kerr said.

“They’ve spent three weeks moving from sodden furniture and one bomb site to another.

“The accommodation for residents and workers would allow you to start the rebuild.

“Once the application occurs my belief is that it should go through quite quickly.”

A formal request is expected to be delivered to the federal government early this week with disaster agencies finalising blueprints to revitalise towns from Cape Tribulation through to Rossville, south of Cooktown.

“The SES and other State personnel are active on the ground in areas like Degarra, and have been working tirelessly in the recovery process,” Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said.

“Significant recovery work is now underway but this is a major disaster, made more challenging because of the remoteness and accessibility to some areas.

“We are working around the clock with the Queensland Government to explore what other clean-up resources are required.”

Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt is awaiting the final plans from the National Emergency Management Agency before deploying the ADF to Far North Queensland. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Creek, who also lost his home in the December floods, said he remained committed to bringing elders and families back to Wujal Wujal.

“It’s terrible,” he said.

“My house went under shoulder-deep – that’s where the water line was.

“There were broken walls and my laundry toilet door was busted as well. Our belongings were all over the place.

“It was hard to look at but I’m not dwelling on it. I just want to bring community back closer to home. That’s my priority at the moment.”

Originally published as ‘Big difference’: Blueprints to rebuild flooded Far North towns enter final stages