Member for Traegar, Robbie Katter, toured North West Queensland on Friday, February 8, to assess the damage in Julia Creek.
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The North West Star was lucky enough to catch a flight with Mr Katter to investigate the damage caused by the North West flood disaster.
Mr Katter met McKinlay Shire Council mayor Belinda Murphy to receive an update on how the Local Disaster Management Group was coordinating supplies and fodder drops around the region.
We are working really hard to coordinate resupplies for essential food and medication as well as local fodder drops and work through the situation fluidly as it unravels, Cr Murphy said.
Thankfully due to better weather producers are just getting out in choppers today (Friday) and they are going to witness significant losses.
We have people saying they have lost all their stock and this is coming from producers that run anything from 5000 head to 25,000 head, so we are expecting this to be absolutely devastating.
Cr Murphy informed Mr Katter that the LDMG had stopped deliveries due to running out of avgas and jet fuel, although more was expected that afternoon (Friday) from the Australian Defence Force.
Mr Katter also consulted with flood affected landholders including Cliff Fitchett who owns Sunny Plains, 30km north of Julia Creek.
After flying around and assessing our infrastructure the impact was quite substantial, Me Fitchett said.
Dams have blown out, fences are gone and in one paddock where there were 200-300 cows they have all been swept away by floodwaters.
After having a quick look in the helicopter today (Friday) I think we have lost about 30 per cent but that is expected to increase.
Mr Katter was shocked and devastated to see the impact the floodwaters had on the small community. He flew north of Julia Creek and surveyed the inland sea of floodwater from the sky.
To see this with my own eyes really hits home to the absolute devastation these people are facing, he said.
This is the single most devastating event to the beef industry in Australias history. Just horrendous.
Robbie and Bob Katter will travel to Julia Creek and Richmond on Monday, February 11, to consult with more affected landholders and businesses in the North West.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
