Crossing the North Queensland coast early on Sunday 20 March, Cyclone Larry extensively damaged private and public property. Many were left homeless, and local businesses and households were days, and sometimes weeks, without power. As Larry moved inland and formed into a low pressure system, torrential rains caused further damage.
In recent weeks, natural disasters have also occurred in the Pilbera with Cyclones Glenda and Herbert, and the town of Katherine has suffered extensive flood damage. In all cases, Local Governments have played a major role in preparing their communities and then dealing with the aftermath and recovery.
In North Queensland, Larry wiped out an estimated 80 per cent of Australia’s banana crop and devastated local sugar plantations, leaving an estimated 4,000 people in the region out of work. Seven Local Government areas from Townsville to Cairns and inland bore the brunt of Larry’s fury, but none worse than Johnstone Shire. With its main town centre of Innisfail and 13 smaller townships, flooding, vegetation damage and downed power lines saw the Shire was cut off by road for three days.
Johnstone Shire Mayor, Councillor Neil Clarke, said that during the height of the cyclone, water started coming through the roof of the Shire offices – the designated emergency coordination centre. This in turn was shorting out the generator. He said mobile phones were first to go down followed by the land lines which were out of action after 12 hours.
Debris from the cyclone blocked drains causing additional flood damage. Council has estimated that it faces the equivalent of 15 years of waste to be cleared away and dispatched to landfill.
“With 20 per cent of the population aged over 60 years, many of our residents will require some assistance to clean up their properties,” Councillor Clarke said. “Over 300 houses in the Shire are unlivable, which has resulted in 620 people relocating to Cairns. Many more have moved in with family and friends clearly demonstrating how the community is pulling together and helping each other wherever they can.”
Council’s 180 staff worked eight to ten days straight, which Neil Clarke describes as a 200 per cent effort.
“The response from State agencies and Federal departments has been fantastic,” the Mayor said. “The Premier arrived here on the day of the cyclone and has been back four times. The Prime Minister has also visited.
“Coordinated through the Local Government Association of Queensland, various Councils are sending engineers, surveyors and environmental health officers to assist in the clean up and recovery process.
“Donations of goods and money have come from all over Australia.”
With the loss of power the key issues for households and local businesses, Ergon Energy has worked hard to get most back onto mains power, and is aiming to have all consumers reconnected by Easter. With the high voltage lines and towers damaged, a new 32 metre tower was assembled in Townsville and then flown 280 kilometres by a Defence Forces’ Chinook helicopter and lowered into position.
Stories of cooperation and enormous efforts by organisations and individuals are countless. On the financial side, agreements brockered by the Premier Beattie and Prime Minister Howard will assist businesses and farmers get back on their feet, and employment subsidies and job search allowances will also help prevent an exodus of people who have lost their jobs through the cyclone.
For Mayor Neil Clarke, his Council and community, it will be a hard road ahead but there is strong determination to get on with the task in hand as rapidly as possible.
