Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Hats Off To Heroes 

While the effects of weather are hard to predict, the willingness of the community to assist others is something that, according to Member for Burdekin Dale Last, can be relied upon.  

Mr Last said emergency services, volunteers, businesses, and individuals had gone ‘above and beyond’ to help locals and visitors to the community as they prepared for and dealt with the effects of the weather event.  

“Across the Burdekin district, and beyond, there are everyday people who deserve our thanks,” Mr Last said. “The actions of those people have undoubtedly reduced the pressure on emergency services and helped to restore calm in uncertain times.”  

“The local emergency services have shown that their planning and commitment is another reason that we should be both proud of them and thankful for their efforts. We’ve also had staff coming in from other areas to support local staff and I am extremely proud of the way the community has welcomed them and supported them.”  

“Our SES volunteers have been extremely active responding to calls for help, helping to resupply isolated people and helping residents with sandbags. Especially considering they are leaving their homes and families to help others; you really need to take your hat off to them.”  

“We have also seen locals providing food and drinks to stranded motorists and even a local business providing free hot meals to the locals and emergency services in Giru during the cleanup. That sort of generosity is something you rarely see in many areas and it should be celebrated.”  

Mr Last said he expected volunteers to again come to the fore during the clean-up and recovery and reassured locals that the state government was fully committed to supporting those affected.  

“This is a widespread event, but support will be made available to those that need it. Even before the rain started, we had teams in place so that in the shortest time possible, the recovery could get underway and we have already seen the results of that forward planning.”  

“In addition to financial support for individuals, supporting our key industries is a high priority to ensure that people’s jobs are protected. The Premier has made it very clear that support will continue to be delivered to affected communities until the job is done.”  

“There will also be a review of this event in the same way that all disasters are reviewed. That process is about identifying opportunities to better prepare for future events and to ensure that any issues of concern are properly addressed.”  

Support for eligible residents in impacted areas is available via the Queensland Disaster Recovery website or by calling 1800 173 349. Packages to support eligible primary industry and small businesses are administered by QRIDA, who can be contacted on 1800 623 946.

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