17.5 C
Canberra
Friday, November 29, 2024

More financial support on way as Cyclone Jasper cleanup begins

More financial support is on its way for people impacted by record flooding as the massive clean-up begins in far north Queensland.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Steven Miles are set to unveil more assistance packages as they visit flood-hit areas on Friday.

About 35 communities are isolated with Kowanyama in the remote Cape York bracing for major flooding over the weekend.

Individual disaster funding has already been made available since record rainfall and flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper devastated the far north.

Mr Albanese says more help is on its way.

“We’ll be announcing additional support for primary producers, additional support for small business and not for profits, additional funding for each of the nine local government areas that are impacted as well,” he told Seven Network’s Sunrise.

Tourism recovery would also be a focus, after Cairns operators revealed holiday cancellations in the region had climbed to $125 million across December and January in the wake of flooding, he said.

“We’ll be meeting with tourism operators and providing a package of support for tourism recovery,” Mr Albanese said.

“I would just urge anyone who has bookings here in far north Queensland to please don’t cancel. 

“The impact of this flood has been devastating for the region, but it will be worse if the economy dips in coming weeks and months.” 

The prime minister and Mr Miles will also be meeting emergency service workers and volunteers as the massive clean-up begins in earnest north of Cairns.

Locals have been warned the rebuild could take months.

Caravan parks and hotels are being sourced in the Cairns region for people without accommodation.

About 2600 properties in the region have been assessed to date with 1100 requiring “significant repair”.

Extra police patrols will also monitor the recovery effort around Cairns and the Cape York after three reports of looting.

There were two incidents at flood-hit Wujal Wujal north of Cairns, one of the worst affected regions.

“I am disappointed and disgusted by reports that offenders have taken advantage of communities battling one of the worst disasters the region has experienced,” Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius said.

About 220 people have been evacuated by the Australian Defence Force from Wujal Wujal to Cooktown.

Police said a Wujal Wujal aged care facility was broken into after residents were evacuated.

The local general store also had a safe and cash register stolen after it was left open to let the community access food and supplies.

Emergency services have been able to visit all 35 isolated communities, with no serious injuries reported.

But there are grave concerns for an 85-year-old man who has been missing since Sunday at Degarra, near Wujal Wujal.

More than a week after arriving as a cyclone, Jasper is still impacting the far north with Kowanyama now on high alert.

Major flooding is set to impact the community from Saturday with vulnerable residents evacuated to Cairns as a precaution.

More Stories

 
 

 

Latest

canberra daily

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANBERRA DAILY NEWSLETTER

Join our mailing lists to receieve the latest news straight into your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!