Shocking vision of the flood devastation at Cloncurry
Two farmers have sent Alan Jones these images of the flood devastation at Cloncurry in Queensland.
Their properties received 700mm of rain in seven days.
Their note reads in part:
“Our cattle became weak using what energy they had struggling through the mud and pushed by the driving rain… they finally became exhausted simply trying to stay warm.
“Other properties have had their entire herds washed away. More than 100,000 cattle gone.
“Some paddocks are facing 95 per cent losses.
“Australia – we need your support. You can help us by using your consumer power and insisting on buying local produce. Then we can continue to provide your families with our top quality, homegrown, nourishing beef.”
As much as 22 million hectares of farmland is under water and as many as 500,000 head of cattle are dead or missing.
Alan speaks with the government’s flood-response co-ordinator, Senator Linda Reynolds.
The Assistant Home Affairs Minister updates Alan on the devastating situation.
“We’ve got army helicopters out there, we’ve got the chinooks, we’ve got the blackhawks.
“But we’re not doing anything without the instruction from the local mayor and the local community because what I heard and saw very clearly is that every shire and every property is different.”
Click PLAY below to hear the update
Julia Creek, just east of Cloncurry, is one of the worst hit areas with sickening images now coming to light.
Hundreds of thousands of cattle are dead and those left alive are stranded by floodwaters, without food or clean water.
Without road access still cut, farmers are having to fly overhead to survey the devastation.
WARNING – GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
Julia Creek from the air. Sadly a lot of graziers say they won’t make it back from this. @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/vkxiDSI7xO
— Joel Dry (@JoelDry7) February 11, 2019
Farmer Matt Bennetto tells Ben Fordham, “it’s really hard to put into words the extent of it”.
“It really upsets us putting those images out to you guys.
“It really takes its toll on the people here, pushing that upon people in the city. We don’t want anyone to have to see that sort of stuff.”
Click PLAY below to hear Matt’s chat with Ben Fordham