Short-term pain may be long-term gain for primary industries in Mackay
Published Wednesday, 20 February, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
More than 30 DPI staff were responding to the on-going effects of flooding in the Mackay/Whitsunday region, Minister for Primary industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
Mr Mulherin, who also is the Member for Mackay, examined badly damaged rail infrastructure this morning with Canegrowers representative and local grower Paul Schembri.
“About 100 to 150 farms close to the Mackay urban footprint were heavily hit but more than 1000 in the region were spared the heaviest of the downfalls,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“What we need is a continuation of the dry weather we have had now for the last two days and hopefully we can then look forward to a good crop.
“At the moment we have DPI&F staff working with industry representatives on the impact of the floods to determine the short and long-term needs for recovery.
“Financial help is available to primary producers and small business operators through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority, which I understand has had some 50 enquiries about assistance.
“DPI&F farm financial counselors and the QRAA have worked extremely hard with affected farmers in the flood declared areas, including central Queensland and Mackay, and will continue to do so in the immediate future.
In regard to the beef industry, Mr Mulherin said meatworks across the state, including at Mackay, were suffering from a lack of cattle.
“I’m informed that the statewide kill is down from about 70,000 to 48,000.
“But this isn’t due to a lack of cattle. The cattle are there, but there is an access problem caused by flooding.
“The saleyards are operating but producers are struggling to get cattle out at the moment.
“Once again that would appear to be a matter of time and dry weather,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“I’m also mindful that there has been damage to infrastructure for horticulture producers in the Prosperine/Whitsundays region. In the coming days we’ll be working closely with the local industry to confirm the extent of the damage.
“In the meantime, people can contact our 13 25 23 hotline for advice and our farm financial counseling services will also be available to support people through this difficult period.”
Mr Mulherin also commended the efforts of departmental staff.
“DPI&F has activated resources from across Queensland to assist primary producers and the community in general through this difficult period.
“This is no more evident than administrative staff from the Mackay region providing support to the Department of Communities in answering calls for assistance.”
Staff have been involved in a range of activities from assisting producers to sorting through mobs of cattle and identifying brands of animals for the return of stock, through to fastening hay into slings for aerial fodder drops.
“In addition to on-the-ground support services, IT specialists have been involved in mapping and databases for brand identification and National Livestock Identification System protocols to facilitate the return of lost stock,” he said.
“On the animal welfare side of things, the department’s veterinary staff have been working hand-in-hand with private veterinarians to provide on-the-ground assistance and advice to producers, and collect samples to assess stock for illnesses such as three day sickness (bovine ephemeral fever).
“Aerial surveillance has been undertaken to monitor the health, welfare and nutrition of flood-affected stock, as well as determine crop, infrastructure and natural resources damage,” he said.
About 30 staff from the department’s central region have been involved in flood response activities with most dedicated fully to related tasks.
As well, staff from around the state have rallied with officers coming from Mutdapilly, Yeerongpilly, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Biloela, Warwick, Georgetown and Clermont.
Media: 0409 305 662
Mr Mulherin, who also is the Member for Mackay, examined badly damaged rail infrastructure this morning with Canegrowers representative and local grower Paul Schembri.
“About 100 to 150 farms close to the Mackay urban footprint were heavily hit but more than 1000 in the region were spared the heaviest of the downfalls,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“What we need is a continuation of the dry weather we have had now for the last two days and hopefully we can then look forward to a good crop.
“At the moment we have DPI&F staff working with industry representatives on the impact of the floods to determine the short and long-term needs for recovery.
“Financial help is available to primary producers and small business operators through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority, which I understand has had some 50 enquiries about assistance.
“DPI&F farm financial counselors and the QRAA have worked extremely hard with affected farmers in the flood declared areas, including central Queensland and Mackay, and will continue to do so in the immediate future.
In regard to the beef industry, Mr Mulherin said meatworks across the state, including at Mackay, were suffering from a lack of cattle.
“I’m informed that the statewide kill is down from about 70,000 to 48,000.
“But this isn’t due to a lack of cattle. The cattle are there, but there is an access problem caused by flooding.
“The saleyards are operating but producers are struggling to get cattle out at the moment.
“Once again that would appear to be a matter of time and dry weather,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“I’m also mindful that there has been damage to infrastructure for horticulture producers in the Prosperine/Whitsundays region. In the coming days we’ll be working closely with the local industry to confirm the extent of the damage.
“In the meantime, people can contact our 13 25 23 hotline for advice and our farm financial counseling services will also be available to support people through this difficult period.”
Mr Mulherin also commended the efforts of departmental staff.
“DPI&F has activated resources from across Queensland to assist primary producers and the community in general through this difficult period.
“This is no more evident than administrative staff from the Mackay region providing support to the Department of Communities in answering calls for assistance.”
Staff have been involved in a range of activities from assisting producers to sorting through mobs of cattle and identifying brands of animals for the return of stock, through to fastening hay into slings for aerial fodder drops.
“In addition to on-the-ground support services, IT specialists have been involved in mapping and databases for brand identification and National Livestock Identification System protocols to facilitate the return of lost stock,” he said.
“On the animal welfare side of things, the department’s veterinary staff have been working hand-in-hand with private veterinarians to provide on-the-ground assistance and advice to producers, and collect samples to assess stock for illnesses such as three day sickness (bovine ephemeral fever).
“Aerial surveillance has been undertaken to monitor the health, welfare and nutrition of flood-affected stock, as well as determine crop, infrastructure and natural resources damage,” he said.
About 30 staff from the department’s central region have been involved in flood response activities with most dedicated fully to related tasks.
As well, staff from around the state have rallied with officers coming from Mutdapilly, Yeerongpilly, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Biloela, Warwick, Georgetown and Clermont.
Media: 0409 305 662