Cost of cyclone clean up 'in the millions' for Douglas Shire
Cost of cyclone clean up 'in the millions' for Douglas Shire
Tuesday April 15 2014
The Douglas Shire damage bill is rising as clean up efforts continue throughout communities in the region today.
Mayor Julia Leu confirmed Tropical Cyclone Ita will cost the community 'in the millions' but said it was hard to give an exact figure.
"It's a little too early to quantify that," Cr Leu said.
"We have sustained significant property damage as well."
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority will visit the Douglas Shire today to inspect flood-affected areas and assess the council's damaged infrastructure.
One home at the Bailey's Creek Road turn off near Cow Bay was was completely flooded with the owner reportedly losing all her possessions left inside.
Cr Leu praised the 'phenomenal job' emergency services and council workers had done following TC Ita and gave thanks to the 'local community heroes' who assisted in cleaning up.
"I truly commend people for taking heed of the warnings," she said.
Yesterday Ergon Energy crews restored power to Coral Sea Drive residents in Mossman and the town's water treatment plant.
An engineer has completed repairs to Noah Creek Bridge, on Cape Tribulation Road north of Thornton Beach.
The bridge was struck by a tree as TC Ita came through the region on the weekend, Cr Leu said.
"We realised that the bridge needed inspection before the ferry opened to ensure access to the northern communities," she said
"He was able to inspect the bridge. Thankfully, there was only minor work that really needed to be done."
Fallen power lines two kilometres north of the Daintree River turn off toward Daintree Village have been cleared but several roads remain blocked.
Daintree Ferry
The Daintree ferry is now operational for work crews and emergency vehicles only.
Engineers are conducting an assessment of Cape Tribulation Road and hope to be able to open the road and ferry to local residents later today.
Cape Tribulation Road north of the river isn't open except for work crews and emergency vehicles.
Extra work crews, trucks, backhoe equipment and wood chipping machines have been deployed to the Daintree River by Douglas Shire Council.
Bad for business
Mossman Bakery owner Russell Pont said his business had lost around $2,000 in trade from the cyclone.
"We've got about 15 wholesalers over in Port Douglas but some of those are the boats and they weren't running anyway," he said.
Compared to Yasi, Mr Pont said there seemed to fewer emergency service workers in the region for Ita.
"We had a lot of Ergon guys coming through here after Yasi, about 30 a day," he said.
Douglas Shire Council has advised residents that dumping green waste at Newell Beach, Killaloe and Daintree transfer stations will remain free until further notice.
