Premier thanks Queensland Government workers for helping Queenslanders

More than 4700 State Government workers have been deployed to help their fellow Queenslanders to prepare, respond and recover to ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie and associated severe flooding.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the tireless work of so many public servants across departments and government-owned corporations was alongside local councils, the Australian Defence Force, non-government organisations, family members, neighbours and friends.

“The preparations were comprehensive, the response was immediate and the recovery will be lasting thanks to these efforts,” the Premier said.

More than 1300 staff from Energy Queensland and Powerlink had been working to restore power to more than 230,000 Queenslanders who had lost power as a result of Debbie’s cyclonic winds and severe flooding.

Almost 600 staff from the Department of Transport and Main Roads have been engaged in recovery of the State’s roads. In addition to local officers in the affected region, more than 350 housing and public works staff, 280 fire and emergency service officers, 200 police, 130 health and 70 ambulance officers were deployed to provide support.

In her open letter to public servants, the Premier said:

“From saving lives in swiftwater rescues to processing applications for assistance - and everything in between - on behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank you. It highlights the importance of frontline services across our State and the ability to deploy staff to areas of need swiftly. Many of you have done this work when the safety of your own homes and communities was under threat.”

In her letter, Ms Palaszczuk also encouraged public servants to consider joining the Community Recovery Ready Reserves through the Department of Communities. Participants may perform activities such as on-the-spot financial assistance, team leadership, outreach visits to homes or administration work to keep centres operating. To date, more than 400 staff have been engaged to support recovery efforts.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791

The Premier’s letter to public servants

On behalf of the people of Queensland, I would like to thank you for the support you have given your fellow Queenslanders in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie and severe flooding.

As Premier, I have had the privilege to meet many people severely impacted by Debbie and the flooding to follow. I have seen the support we as a Government are providing alongside local councils, the Australian Defence Force, non-government organisations, family members, neighbours and friends.

From saving lives in swiftwater rescues to processing applications for assistance - and everything in between - on behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank you.

It highlights the importance of frontline services across our State and the ability to deploy staff to areas of need swiftly.

Many of you have done this work when the safety of your own homes and communities was under threat.

We will continue to respond and ensure the hardest hit get the greatest support. To do this, we need your continued help.

The call is still strong for more Community Recovery Ready Reserves across government and the state. You can register here.

We are also supporting non-government organisations that provide crucial assistance, including counselling services.

I have appointed Brigadier Chris Field as State Disaster Recovery Coordinator and we will be developing a plan to ensure our State bounces back better than ever.

Your ongoing efforts will help us ensure all Queenslanders are supported and that we continue to restore hope and opportunity for all.

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP

Premier of Queensland