Cassowary Coast Flood Damage Update

Preliminary assessment of the Cassowary Coast has shown significant flood damage to homes and buildings, as well as Council roads and infrastructure.

Homes and building assessments as well as road surveys are still underway, however as of today [Friday 22 December 2023], the flood situation is as follows:

Housing and buildings

Over 400 homes and buildings are recorded to be damaged, with inundation levels reaching as high as 150cm in some locations.

Council buildings that experienced significant damage include River Drive Caravan Park which is closed until further notice, and a public toilet block at Liverpool Creek which is beyond restoration.

Severe flooding has affected Innisfail and Tully Showgrounds, including the newly built Tully Grandstand.  Council is still assessing public amenities in remote areas, with the full extent of damage yet to be determined.

Roads

Council road inspections have revealed moderate to major damage across most of its 500km unsealed road network, including significant gravel wash.  The value of damage is yet to be understood but is expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Council has immediately responded with works to open roads that were significantly damaged to open access to homes and will prioritise those that are of greatest safety concern.

A detailed survey assessment will start next week to understand the full scope of works required to fix damaged roads and assess the cost of repairs necessary.  An update will be offered to the community once the detailed assessment has been completed, and Council thanks the community for their patience as remediation works are being planned.

Waste

Council has dispatched all possible resources including available contractors to manage massive amounts of waste deposits from the flood, including kerbside collections from areas most affected.

To date 90 tonnes (88 truck loads) of hard waste has been collected from kerbsides throughout Mourilyan, Webb and South Johnstone with collections continuing tomorrow and next week.

Waste Transfer Stations are managing a major spike in deposits, with Council extending its fee-free period for all household flood waste presented at Stoters Hill and Tully Waste Transfer Stations until 31 December.  To date Council has covered fees for 300 vehicle loads.

Water

Following blockages at water infrastructure caused by flooding, Council’s water team has worked tirelessly to ensure clean water supply continued to flow to residents throughout the region this week.  A boil water alert for Tully, South Mission Beach and surrounds was lifted yesterday and no restrictions are currently in place.

Community Service

A Cassowary Coast Community Recovery Human and Social Working Group has been convened to coordinate emergency housing and on-ground support, including food, fuel vouchers, phone and data packages through local support centres.

Community Flood Recovery hubs hosted by Council with the support of the Queensland Government and Salvation Army were hosted today in Innisfail and Mourilyan, servicing almost 100 people.  The Recovery Hubs will continue into tomorrow at South Johnstone and Silkwood to offer guidance for housing and financial support as well as emergency relief and counselling services.

Council’s customer service centres have fielded almost 700 enquiries throughout the week, which is more than 60% higher than normal call servicing levels.

And Council’s endorsed donation platform GIVIT has received over $500 worth of vouchers and items for Cassowary Coast.  All community members wanting to help by way of donations should go to givit.org.au/Queensland-flooding.

Quotes attributed to Cassowary Coast Mayor, Mark Nolan:

“Recovery takes time, and we stand with our friends and neighbours throughout the Cassowary Coast as we do everything in our resources to help the effort. 

“It’s a priority for Council to continue to deliver safe and accessible roads for our community and we are aiming to get our roads back to normal as quickly as possible but it will take some time.

“We thank the community for their patience and understanding as we prioritise works to help those who are most in need for access to their homes.

“Managing the logistics of waste in the wake of a disaster is a mammoth task and we’ve collected an enormous amount of rubbish from kerbsides already this week and I’m assured that Council will continue to review the situation as it unfolds.

“Since the flood waters started inundating our townships on Sunday we’ve been in close contact with state and federal representatives to ensure our community receives its fair share of help.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to everyone who’ve lost homes and personal belongings so close to Christmas.

“Our thoughts are also with our neighbours in the North who copped the brunt of Jasper’s wrath – many who’ve been without power and water for days.  The Cassowary Coast is a resilient region and we’ve already achieved so much in recovery.”

Council Christmas closures

Council’s offices, depots and libraries are now closed for the Christmas break and will re-open with usual operating hours Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Domestic Cleanaway kerbside bin collection will continue to the normal schedule, including Christmas day.

Waste Transfer Stations will not be open Christmas day, but will be open for public holidays per the following schedule:

• Tully and Stoters Hill, Mission Beach closed Christmas Day, open 26 Dec & 1 Jan and normal hours on non-public holidays.
• Bells Creek Closed Christmas Day, open 26 Dec and normal operating hours on non-public holidays.
• Cardwell closed Christmas Day and 26 Dec, open 1 Jan and normal operating hours on non-public holidays.
• Hull Heads, Murray Upper closed Christmas Day open 26 Dec. Open normal operating hours on non-public holidays.

Please check Council’s website for Waste Transfer Station Christmas holiday period operating hours at https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/.

And for updates on household flood waste collections follow Council’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cassowarycoastregionalcouncil.

For Council’s after hours service call 1300 763 903.

Council wishes everyone in the Cassowary Coast a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.