Qld: Govt to consider help for flood victims

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2000
Qld: Govt to consider help for flood victims

BRISBANE, Feb 10 AAP - The Queensland government is waiting for advice on the extent
of flood damage to crops in northern Queensland before deciding on the level of help it
will give.

The Tully region has been inundated with more than 800mm of rain since last Friday,
drowning large areas of sugarcane and banana crops, with damage expected to run into millions
of dollars.

Motorists remain stranded by water across the Bruce Highway and emergency services
workers have used boats to ferry food and medical supplies to townships cut off by the
water.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Robertson flew over the flooded area yesterday
and said there had been significant damage to roads, bridges and rail lines.

He activated natural disaster relief arrangements for flood-affected communities between
Townsville and Cairns to provide funds for local councils to repair roads and other damaged
public assets.

But he stopped short of promising concessional loans to help primary producers and
small businesses in the region recover.

"We're waiting for advice from the Department of Primary Industries about crop damages
before deciding whether to activate other parts of the relief arrangements," a spokesman
for the minister said.

AAP jfs/arb/br

KEYWORD: FLOODS QLD DAYLEAD

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