Tourism industry focusses on community and visitor safety during extreme weather across far north Queensland

As extreme weather conditions and flooding continue across far north Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Mark Olsen said the organisation’s immediate focus was to keep the community and visitors safe.

Olsen notes “a large number of residents have been evacuated from the northern beaches and we are working to provide emergency accommodation for them and their pets.

“The Barron River, which is famous for the Barron Falls, has reached record levels and overflowed into the Cairns Airport for the first time in history.

“Safety is the priority, and an assessment of the airport will be undertaken at midday. The airport will not be welcoming any flights until it has been given the all-clear.

“Tropical North Queensland currently has more than 4500 visitors in the region including 400 emergency services crew.

“Since December 5, the region has lost an estimated $60 million in cancellations and forward bookings. We have another tough week ahead as we assess the damage and map our way forward.

“We are resilient, and we will recover. However, the industry will need assistance to rebuild and recover. It will take a few days to assess the impact on the industry.

“Right now our focus is on accommodating the incredible emergency services team and providing emergency accommodation for our displaced residents.”

The extreme weather conditions and flooding across far north Queensland saw more than 300 triple-zero calls made to police last night with emergency flood alerts still in place.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll advised that 300 people were rescued in what was an “extraordinarily challenging evening".

The rescues were conducted with the help of the SES, police, civilian assistance, QFES and naval support, mostly in the areas of Machans Beach, Yorkeys Knob and Holloways Beach.

Commissioner Carroll shared "I am a far northerner, I remember those floods in 1977, and have been through many disasters and cyclones in that part of the world.

"I must say, what we've seen over the last couple of days has been absolutely devastating. We have not seen the volume of water at least since that time.

"Thankfully, thankfully, we still have not seen any deaths or serious injuries as a result of this event.

"The adults and child who were on the hospital roof at Wujal Wujal have self-evacuated when the waters slightly receded, however, we are looking to evacuate that small town into Cooktown as soon as we can have access into the area.

"The greatest challenge so far for everyone has been access into some of these areas, and it will continue to challenge us."

The remote Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal has been inundated after days of rain. Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council Chief Executive Kylie Hanslow says crocodiles are swimming through the town, and flood waters are expected to rise again on Monday afternoon.

Areas across far north Queensland remain on emergency flood alert.

Image. Credit: Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council Chief Executive Kylie Hanslow.