23 Feb 2015
THE Queensland Farmers’ Federation is working with its members and other industry partners to assess the extent of the damage from Tropical Cyclone Marcia and flood events over the weekend.
QFF CEO Dan Galligan said that industry groups were working vigilantly with farmers and a range of agencies in gathering a clear picture of the impacts of TC Marcia, which crossed the coast as a Category 5 system and caused a path of destruction over a large area.
“Many of these regions have been without electricity, water and telecommunications and roads have been cut with floodwaters and debris,” Mr Galligan said. “That means that it will take some days before we can determine the full extent of the agricultural industries in the region.
“We do know that the farms in the path of Cyclone Marcia have suffered very severe damage through both rain and wind and the recovery effort will be enormous.
“The Yeppoon region is an important horticultural production region, and these farmers copped the full extent of the cyclone. There are several dairy farms around Rockhampton and further south that have sustained severe damage as well.
“As the system tracked south, it wreaked havoc on cotton, grain and small crops throughout the Callide Valley, made worse reportedly by floodwater releases from the Callide Dam.
“On top of that, farmers in other parts of the State are grappling with serious flooding impacts that will create significant damage and long-term challenges as well.”
Mr Galligan said that QFF would continue to work with its members and State and Federal Governments on assessing the damage and the necessary response to aid farmers through the recovery.
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