Flood-affected Queensland clubs begin assessing damage

Queensland Sport and Recreation Minister Steve Dickson has today (Friday 1st February) inspected widespread damage at a Sunshine Coast sports complex devastated in this week's weather event.
Minister Dickson has seen how the Elizabeth Daniels Sports Reserve was heavily impacted by the extreme weather, with onsite clubs including the Maroochydore Eagles Basketball Association, the Maroochy Cricket Club and Buderim Croquet all sustained damage.
Minister Dickson stated "the Sunshine Coast bore the brunt of some extremely wild weather over the weekend, and unfortunately our sporting clubs and complexes were also badly affected during the event.
"I'll be working with sporting and recreation clubs all over Queensland in the coming weeks to ensure our department is doing everything in its power to assist them in getting back to business.
"However, we've already seen the determination and resilience that Queenslanders are known for come to the fore, with clean-up efforts by club members and volunteers now well underway."
Windows of the basketball stadium were smashed during the storms, allowing water to seep into the grandstand. The Maroochy Cricket Club sustained damage to its scoreboards and fences with landslides affecting their fields, and Buderim Croquet's player boxes have been buckled by water damage.
Minister Dickson said a huge mopping up effort from members of the Maroochydore Eagles meant that games had been able to resume as normal during the week, although assessment of long term damage was continuing, adding "it's going to be a tough road to complete recovery, but with the Sunshine Coast community standing behind these clubs they'll be able to get back on their feet and return to normal activity."
Minister Dickson inspected the damage alongside founding member of the Maroochydore Eagles Sid Page and Maroochy Cricket Club President Richie McGuiness.