Disaster relief announced for flood ridden western Queensland

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Prime Minister has announced more relief for flood-affected towns in western Queensland. Anthony Albanese flew into Longreach to meet residents and emergency crews. Many communities remain isolated by floodwaters after record-breaking rainfall.

Transcript

00:00on a flood-ravaged property near Longreach.

00:05Well, you can see some of the fencing that's been damaged along this road going along there.

00:10The Prime Minister got a first-hand look at the disaster and the challenges facing graziers.

00:16It's still done this, you know. Yeah.

00:19Lent this fence over on the cattle yards. It's all concrete and fairly deep post there.

00:24Anthony Albanese brought $105 million to rebuild thousands of kilometres of exclusion fencing washed away in the deluge.

00:34For anybody running small animals in this area, I think it's crucial initially.

00:39One, to keep them in and then obviously keep predators out.

00:42This is tough country but they're tough and resilient people.

00:46Primary producers facing massive losses can now apply for grants of up to $75,000

00:53and loans up to $250,000.

00:56Those who've lost work due to the floods can access 13 weeks of income support

01:01and there's $7 million for fodder for stranded livestock.

01:06Once they get back on their feet, they'll do what they do best and that's producing food and fibre for the nation.

01:11Across the region, more than 150,000 head of livestock have died or gone missing

01:17as a result of the hundreds of millimetres of rain that fell last week.

01:22Still today, thankfully we've had no loss of life.

01:25But many communities remain isolated with roads cut off.

01:29While the extra funding is targeted at farmers who already know their losses,

01:34it should also help those whose properties are still underwater and who are yet to assess the damage.

01:40They're not out of the woodwork yet. Western Queensland is continuing to receive the floodwaters, the rivers are rising.

01:47For now, the focus remains on the ground, helping families and businesses recover from a disaster they never expected.

01:55You've had three generations here determined to build back and it's important that Australia supports them.

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