Empty shelves despite ‘laser like focus’ from Gov

Hapless shoppers were once again greeted with empty shelves on Friday morning despite the Government’s “laser like focus”, but relief is on the way as waters over the Bruce recede.

Cold isles were left shrouded in the mist of refrigerators cooling zero product. Photo: Samantha Healy.

Almost two weeks after supply lines were cut by flooding hapless shoppers were once again greeted with empty shelves on Friday morning despite the Government’s “laser like focus” to ensure the food supply, but help could be on the way as waters over the Bruce recede.

Consumers cut a ghostly figure as they strolled through misty refrigerated isles searching for the scraps left behind as supplies of many items dwindled.

Fresh fruit and vegetable sections along with long life milk, rice, pasta, and dairy products were still empty across Cairns as of Friday morning.

There were promising images midday Friday as the flood watch camera at Gairloch Washaway, on the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Cardwell, captured police and emergency services monitoring water levels.

Police and emergency services were assessing waters level across the Gairloch washaway as of 11:30am on Friday preparing for the reopening of the Bruce Highway between Cardwell and Ingham. Photo: Flood watch

Shortly after midday trucks were captured crossing the last sodden stretch of highway left cutting the Bruce, once again bringing their cargo north.

The flood camera at Gairloch Washaway captured the first trucks crossing the reopened stretch of the Bruce Highway once again connecting supply lines from Townsville to Cairns. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

Dozens of trucks have been parked at Ingham waiting for floodwaters to recede after the highway was closed after a brief reopening earlier in the week.

Traffic and Main Roads confirmed that the road was now reopened for Heavy vehicles only with northbound freight already moving and southbound freight soon to follow.

“Queensland Police Service is on-site managing traffic, and TMR urges motorists to follow all signage and directions from QPS,” a spokesperson said.

“No load restrictions are currently in place, and speed limits will be enforced by QPS.

“Motorists are advised there may be delays over the next few days as traffic flow resumes.”

With no further heavy rainfall totals on the near forecast it is expected that the highway should remain open more permanently from today.

On Thursday evening Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who earlier reassured far northerners had six weeks of supplies in storage, said that the Government was leaving no stone unturned through the disaster co-ordination channels on vital resupply efforts.

“We have been working with local mayors and our disaster co-ordination teams across the Far North to look at every resupply option that is open to us.

Bree James revealed that six more freight flights were on the way over the next few days. Photo: Bree James facebook

“That includes another six planes in three days to bolster local supply lines and get food to where it’s needed most.

“The Government has a laser like focus on response and recovery efforts.

“I want to thank Far North Queenslanders for their support and patience through these challenging times.

Mr Bleijie rejected criticism from Cairns MP Micheal Healy.

“I’m not going to stoop to baseless political games like Michael Healy, we are focused on supporting local communities dealing with the impacts of this disaster event.”

Originally published as Empty shelves despite ‘laser like focus’ from Gov