Media

Chairs Report Gulf Floods -

NORTHERN GULF NRM EXPECTS LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES FROM GULF REGION FLOODS

Communities and the resource rich environments of the Gulf of Carpentaria experienced severe flooding throughout January, February and March 2009. The floods have caused significant damage to the tropical savannah environments as well as to infrastructure, economies and the social state of mind. An active monsoon trough and several low pressure systems continuously flooded some areas of the gulf for over 12 weeks. Millions of hectares were inundated with some 90% loss of savannah in some areas. At this time we have no idea of the long term impacts on the seed banks. Events such as these are such a high magnitude perturbation that it could effectively change the floristic nature of the regions vegetation for years to come. Only consecutive good wet seasons and careful environmental recovery will repair the legacy left by the 2009 gulf floods.

The Northern Gulf Resource Management Group Ltd assisted the response in many ways over the flood period. The Regional Mapping Services Coordinator, Michael Digby, was activated by the Local Disaster Management Group. Staff assisted Queensland Emergency Services through the Etheridge Shire Council with relief efforts such as food and fuel resupply. Staff also ensured regular contact and assistance with impacted properties, acting as a support and information network to locals, government and media. A blog site was established for locals to stay informed of the event and the assistance available through various government agencies for them.

John Bethel, Chair of NGRMG, was in constant contact with affected land holders and worked with Agforce and Queensland DNR & W to see what assistance they could provide. John became a contact for media for reporting and advice on the magnitude and impacts of the event. He was successful in raising awareness of the flood throughout Australia.

Noeline Gross, NGRMG General Manager, was the driving force in coordinating local councils and the Gulf Savannah Development organisation to draft a flood recovery plan. This recovery plan outlines practical and achievable recommendations for community, environmental, infrastructure and economic recovery budgeted at some $79 million dollars. On the 27th April the Commonwealth committed $18 million towards repair and upgrade of the Einasleigh River bridge. The NGRMG will continue to provide services to assist local people, Local Governments, State Government and the Federal Government to recover the regions social, environmental and economic situation.

In a remote area, people and organisations such as the NGRMG need to be multiskilled and work cooperatively with all governments for the betterment of our future in the region. The NGRMG will continue to assist the region over the years to re-build and regain the healthy environment and growing economies that existed prior to this extreme flood event. +