Far North disaster management authorities have delivered about 10 tonnes of food via flights to remote communities stranded in Cape York because of major flooding.
Under Queensland Disaster Management arrangements, co-ordinated resupplies provide isolated communities with essential goods and the state government pays the additional transport costs to deliver them.
Daintree Air chief pilot Greg Letondeur, speaking from the air, said they flew their second load from Cairns to Kowanyama on Tuesday.
“Today we will do seven tonnes into the Cape,” he said.
“The runways are open but there are lots of storms due to the monsoon around.”
Mr Letondeur said the other crew on the aircraft included Joseph Hook, Lachlan Hook and Aaron Dati.
He said Daintree Air had transported five and a half tonnes of day-to-day provisions, including dry store grocery staples, fresh produce, mail and other essential supplies via six dedicated flights from Cairns to Coen on January 17.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said they had worked with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, businesses and wholesale suppliers to co-ordinate delivery of essential supplies to the regional landlocked community of Coen, the shire’s second largest township, and northernmost hub.
“Every year seasonal rains, flooding rivers and dangerous road conditions cause a large section of the Peninsular Development Road to close for weeks at a time,” he said.
“This prevents many regional and remote communities across the Cape from obtaining essential supplies through traditional road transport routes.”
But the mayor reminded community members across the Cape to be self-sufficient and not to become reliant on resupply operations.
“Preparation is paramount,” he said.
“We urge households to plan ahead and get ready.
“You need at least five days of supplies to see you through, so there is absolutely no need to panic buy.”
tate Emergency Service Far North Region Director Wayne Coutts said all over the Cape volunteers were assisting their community with loading and unloading supplies.
“The Disaster Management System (DNS) operates by the local community stores in Coen can ask the DMS which is based in Cooktown they are running out of food and can’t get essential supplies due to flooded roads,” Mr Coutts said.
“The flights are organised and SES help load the aircraft here and then pick it up at Coen.
“Emergency resupply for communities woks as the stores pay for the goods and emergency services provide the transport and we help with communities with person power.”
SES Far Northern Region Area Controller Matt Currey confirmed SES were happy to step up an help out.
“We nine SES volunteers in Cairns and three in Coen help out as the muscle,” he said.
Alison Paterson
January 20, 2023 – The Cairns Post
