NON-ESSENTIALS TO BE TRANSPORTED INTO KARUMBA, NORMANTON
Published Sunday, 15 February, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
Eighty-five tonnes of non-essential supplies will be shipped to Normanton and Karumba next week as the Bligh Government joins forces with the Carpentaria Shire Council to protect jobs in the towns.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said flood waters had isolated the towns for almost five weeks and were expected to for at least another five weeks.
“In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, Emergency Management Queensland’s priority has been to ensure essential supplies including fresh milk and produce has made it to Normanton, Karumba and surrounding areas,” Mr Roberts said.
“Following strong representations from the Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, and a request from the Carpentaria Shire Council, EMQ has been able to organise for a shipment of non-essential supplies to be transported in.
“These supplies will enable local businesses like building contractors, fishing operators and the local hotel to keep servicing the local community and, in doing so, protect close to 60 jobs for the period of the towns’ isolation.”
Mr Roberts said EMQ personnel had worked with the council and local businesses to identify what supplies were required.
The 85 tonnes of supplies will leave Cairns on a barge on Tuesday and are expected to arrive in Karumba within five days.
Mrs Kiernan said she was delighted the concerns of the shire’s businesses had been heard and acted upon.
The Queensland Government will cover the difference between the regular cost of deliveries and the increased cost of transporting the supplies by barge.
“Ever since Tropical Cyclone Charlotte crossed the coast in the gulf in January, bringing heavy rains which isolated these communities, the communities of Normanton and Karumba have been doing it tough, particularly businesses,” Mrs Kiernan said.
“Emergency Management Queensland and the Carpentaria Shire Council have done a great job managing the immediate impacts of the flood waters including the delivery of close to 100 tonnes of essential supplies both by air and sea.
“The State Government has also stationed a doctor in Karumba, positioned a helicopter in Normanton and sent an officer from the Department of Tourism, Industry and Regional Development to help business start planning for the recovery.
“As the flood water slowly recede the focus is now shifting to recovery and this delivery of non-essentials will ensure local business can continue to operate until the roads re-open and regular deliveries can resume.”
Media contact: Minister's office - Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204, Betty Kiernan on 0427 152 477
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said flood waters had isolated the towns for almost five weeks and were expected to for at least another five weeks.
“In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, Emergency Management Queensland’s priority has been to ensure essential supplies including fresh milk and produce has made it to Normanton, Karumba and surrounding areas,” Mr Roberts said.
“Following strong representations from the Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan, and a request from the Carpentaria Shire Council, EMQ has been able to organise for a shipment of non-essential supplies to be transported in.
“These supplies will enable local businesses like building contractors, fishing operators and the local hotel to keep servicing the local community and, in doing so, protect close to 60 jobs for the period of the towns’ isolation.”
Mr Roberts said EMQ personnel had worked with the council and local businesses to identify what supplies were required.
The 85 tonnes of supplies will leave Cairns on a barge on Tuesday and are expected to arrive in Karumba within five days.
Mrs Kiernan said she was delighted the concerns of the shire’s businesses had been heard and acted upon.
The Queensland Government will cover the difference between the regular cost of deliveries and the increased cost of transporting the supplies by barge.
“Ever since Tropical Cyclone Charlotte crossed the coast in the gulf in January, bringing heavy rains which isolated these communities, the communities of Normanton and Karumba have been doing it tough, particularly businesses,” Mrs Kiernan said.
“Emergency Management Queensland and the Carpentaria Shire Council have done a great job managing the immediate impacts of the flood waters including the delivery of close to 100 tonnes of essential supplies both by air and sea.
“The State Government has also stationed a doctor in Karumba, positioned a helicopter in Normanton and sent an officer from the Department of Tourism, Industry and Regional Development to help business start planning for the recovery.
“As the flood water slowly recede the focus is now shifting to recovery and this delivery of non-essentials will ensure local business can continue to operate until the roads re-open and regular deliveries can resume.”
Media contact: Minister's office - Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204, Betty Kiernan on 0427 152 477