WATER MINISTER CALLED BACK TO QUEENSLAND

Mother Nature has called the shots on this one and Queensland Minister for Water, Craig Wallace, is responding to her call.

Mr Wallace was due to meet with Nathan Rees New South Wales Water Utilities Minister later today in Sydney and Tim Holding, Victorian Water Minister in Melbourne, but cancelled the meetings to head home due to flooding in North Queensland.

Townsville and Thuringowa have been drenched by flash flooding in the past 48 hours.

“Flooding is causing chaos in North Queensland with road closures and home damage seriously affecting residents,” Mr Wallace said.

“Major highways have been cut by rising water levels and there’s no sign of the rain slowing down.”

Minister Wallace has been in constant contact with Cr Tony Mooney, Mayor of Townsville and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, and Andrew Fraser, Acting Emergency Services Minister, regarding the flooding.

“It’s important that local councils and residents have assistance to deal with the flooding.

“I’ve been in touch with the Acting Emergency Services Minister, Andrew Fraser, to see how the State Government can further assist at this time”.

“This is a serious safety issue and we’re doing everything we can assist residents.”

Meetings with NSW and VIC water Ministers will be rescheduled for later this year.

Media inquiries: Clare Gillic, Minister’s Office, 3896 3688.