Emergency Services Minister to inspect damage to remote island communities

Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford will today (Monday) inspect one of the small islands in the Torres Strait cleaning up after recent damaging winds, heavy rain and king tides.

Mr Crawford and Member for Cook Cynthia Lui – whose electorate covers the Torres Strait – will visit Yam Island, where authorities last week relocated residents living in a low-lying area.

Disaster assistance in response to recent severe weather in the Torres Strait is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Mr Crawford said Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is working with the Qld Reconstruction Authority and other agencies to provide support to the region.

“During last week’s weather event, five Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs) were put on Alert status,” Mr Crawford said.

“The Fire and Rescue Service also had 19 Cairns-based swiftwater rescue technicians on standby if required. There was widespread interruption to services and inundation of low lying areas, with most communities suffering minor damage.

“QFES Emergency Management Coordinators supported the LDMGs and other agencies, and QFES Emergency Management officers worked closely with council CEOs and Mayors to ensure the correct level of support was available if required – and they will continue to do so through the clean-up period.”

Ms Lui was raised on Yam Island, where her grandfather was a community teacher and both he and her father served as Chairperson of Yam Island Community Council.

“During the weather event, I was in constant contact with Mr Crawford’s office to receive updates on the response,” Ms Lui said.

“Growing up on the island, I have a real understanding of how unique and diverse this region is. This kind of weather happens every year, but this event was the worst I’ve seen.

“To see the kind of impact it’s had – where locals have lost their homes and belongings – is upsetting because these people are my family.

“Now during the rebuilding and resilience phase, we want affected communities to follow the advice of local emergency services and the relevant authorities,” she said.

Mr Crawford said the NDRRA funding demonstrated the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments’ commitment to providing continued relief and recovery assistance following natural disasters.

“We will continue to work together to ensure communities have access to the assistance they need,” Mr Crawford said.

“The priority was making sure residents were safe, and this support is designed to speed up the recovery process for the communities."

Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Commonwealth Government’s Disaster Assist website at https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/ and the Queensland Government’s Disaster management website at http://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/.

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909