Thirty-one Western Australian specialist post-disaster workers travelled to Townsville over the weekend to support recovery efforts, in the wake of the recent North Queensland floods.
The contingent of workers from across Western Australia will work alongside Queensland authorities in a range of duties to assist in the recovery, including co-ordinating the provision of welfare, financial assistance, personal support and outreach services.
The team have been sent for an initial two-week period, with extension and further deployments to follow if required.
The deployment is in line with a Commonwealth agreement for all States and Territories to make specialist support available on a national basis when required.
More than two metres of rain fell on parts of Far North Queensland, hundreds of people needed evacuation and more than 3,000 properties were damaged in the subsequent flooding.
Heavy rainfall then extended to pastoral areas of Far North Queensland, causing devastating stock losses.
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
“The scenes of devastation we’ve seen from Far North Queensland carry with them a human cost that is not as visible, but takes much longer to recover from.
“The State Government is pleased to offer the specialist services of staff from the Department of Communities who have put themselves forward to assist in the recovery efforts.
“The specialist skills and experience we are providing will be a tremendous asset for the recovery efforts of the communities affected.”
