Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has told state parliament of the continuing effects of last year’s massive flood disaster.
It all began with heavy rain between Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, making the night of 22 February last year “a date few of us will forget.”
“As we know, it just did not stop. Two-thirds of our annual rainfall fell in just a matter of days—monsoonal, torrential, unrelenting rain. Seven cities and 23 local council areas were affected
“They included: Maryborough, Gympie, the Gold and Sunshine coasts as well as the Darling Downs. In six days, 792.8mm fell in Brisbane alone, 137mm more than in 1974. This is the highest six-day figure ever recorded.”
And that was just the beginning, Ms Palaszczuk told the parliament.
Soon it was to become what she described as “one of the most widespread disasters our state has ever seen.”
“A further 56 locations received more than 1000mm. Thirteen people lost their lives, including SES volunteer Merryl Dray who died trying to save others. “That is what happened to us a year ago, but it is how this state responded that shows the strength and resilience that makes us proud to call ourselves Queenslanders.
“Queensland has more heroes than it can count. As the water rose, neighbours turned lifesavers.
State Emergency Service volunteers answered 13,685 calls for help. All of them are heroes.
“As part of our flood response, the Department of Communities and Housing established 23 community recovery hubs directly in the neighbourhoods worst affected by the floods.
“More than $35.8 million in personal hardship assistance for food, clothing and other essentials was provided to more than 111,000 people in need; 7,888 grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers; and up to $50,000 for affected small businesses and not-for-profit organisations valued at more than $127 million have also been approved.”
Deputy Premier Steve Miles said it was “one of the nation’s worst recorded flood disasters.
“From Maryborough to the Gold Coast and west to Goondiwindi, the rain bomb hit Queensland first and it hit us hard.
“In Gympie, the Mary River reached heights not seen since the 19th century, peaking at 22.96 metres on 28 February 2022. Hundreds of families lost their homes.
The scale of damage from these disaster events was extraordinary, with homes, businesses, primary producers and community and sporting groups impacted, some of them multiple times.
“In total, almost 7000 houses and more than 1000 commercial properties were damaged. Some 57,000 people were left without power at its peak. “Tragically, 13 Queenslanders lost their lives.”
“Our disaster and emergency services worked around the clock to keep Queenslanders safe.
“Energy workers and road workers worked quickly to get the power back on and the roads open.
“Our swift water rescue teams put their lives on the line to rescue Queenslanders from floodwaters.”
The floods caused immediate homelessness for a large number of Gympie people, who had to be temporarily housed in emergency accommodation on both sides of the flooded Mary River.
