Priority to assess Cyclone Debbie damage to agriculture

Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne says his department is working closely with industry and agricultural producers to ensure assistance is available for those impacted by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

“This morning there was a meeting of an Agricultural Co-ordination Group of peak industry organisations to discuss the damage caused by the cyclone and how we will ensure that assistance gets to those who need it as quickly as possible,” the Minister said.

“At the meeting were representatives of various government departments, QRAA, Growcom, AgForce, Queensland Farmers’ Federation, Cotton Australia, CANEGROWERS, Australian Sugar Milling Council, Queensland Seafood Industry Association, Brisbane Markets, Timber Queensland, Nursery and Garden Industry and the Local Government Association of Queensland.

“Those industry representatives were provided with information about the process involved in Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, the latest updates from the Queensland Disaster Management Committee, the current status of the weather system and the likely heavy rainfall that may cause flooding across other areas of Queensland as it tracks south.

“It was clear from industry representatives that while good anecdotal information is starting to emerge, they are finding it difficult to contact their representatives within the affected area.

“It could be some days before we have a clear picture of the scale of the damage to crops, stock and farming infrastructure.

“Indeed, although the main force of the cyclone was through the sugar cane growing areas around Airlie Beach, Proserpine, and Mackay, the full impact on sugar cane production might not be clear until the harvest.

“The impacted area around Bowen is an important horticultural area, particularly for winter crops such as tomatoes and capsicum. 

“It is early in the winter vegetable season and so impacts and crop losses will be on the crops that have been planted so far and potential delays to further planting. 

“It is also clear that, at this stage, communication is still very problematic and many agricultural properties are isolated by flood waters and not contactable either by landline or mobile phone.

“Over coming days staff from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and industry organisations will be on the ground to assess damage and collect the data that will inform decisions to activate financial assistance packages.

“Staff will be using a new disaster app on iPads as one of their tools for damage assessment for the first time.”

The co-ordination group will meet regularly.

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