Far North Queensland fruit growers are confronted with a tough clean-up period due to the widespread flooding; they are appealing to senior politicians, including PM Anthony Albanese, to help them secure enough labor and financial help to get back on their feet. Some growers report massive losses to Cyclone Jasper's torrential rain, including heavy damage across mango orchards.
Citrus grower Giovanni Galati watched floodwaters submerge lime trees in his orchards at Biboohra, west of Cairns. Now, he and his family are working to clear the debris. Much of the fruit on their trees has been spoiled or covered in mud. In their packing shed, floodwaters damaged hydraulic pumps and motors. Galati says the bill from lost fertiliser alone this week is about $50,000. The cost of replacing water pumps is likely to be even higher.
Growers in the region are urging the prime minister to inspect the damage when he visits FNQ this week, as well as local federal MP Bob Katter and Queensland Opposition leader David Crisafulli.
Source: abc.net.au