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Floods devastate north Queensland banana farms, supply and infrastructure at risk

A powerful "wall of water" has devastated banana farms in north Queensland, leaving growers struggling to assess the damage. Heavy rainfall around Tully, between Townsville and Cairns, has exceeded 600mm since Saturday, submerging farms and infrastructure. Banana grower Leon Collins described it as the worst flooding since Cyclone Winifred in 1986, leaving his property completely surrounded by water.

Farmers rushed to harvest and transport fruit before the rain, but with the Bruce Highway closed, restocking supermarket shelves will be difficult. Collins, chairman of the Australian Banana Growers Council, warned that supply will drop significantly. Losses from this event could surpass those caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in 2023, which destroyed up to 35 percent of some farms' crops. Beyond lost bananas, farm infrastructure has been severely damaged. "We've lost all that infrastructure again, all our roads are a mess," Collins said, explaining that submerged plants will not survive.

Sugarcane farms in the region have also suffered major damage. Tully farmer Chris Condon has been able to inspect some of his property but expects significant losses. His family, cut off by floodwaters since Friday, also faced an unusual danger—crocodiles. His wife encountered one on a causeway while driving home and had to scare it off before passing. The Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation has warned residents to expect crocodiles in floodwaters and report sightings through official channels.

Despite the devastation, some farmers remain hopeful. Lloyd Hick, president of rural lobby group AgForce's cattle board, said no major livestock losses have been reported yet, though many graziers are still assessing their properties. "We're still in the middle of it, and things can change within hours," he cautioned.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects the weather system to remain stationary before moving inland later in the week, bringing further rain of 50 to 100mm in some areas. While floods have caused destruction, some graziers in western Queensland welcome the rainfall after prolonged dry conditions. However, with major highways closed, cattle producers face challenges transporting stock to sale yards, adding to the pressure on an already struggling industry.

As the region braces for more rain, farmers can only wait for waters to recede before they can assess the full impact and begin recovery efforts.

Source: ABC News

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