The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is providing support to Queensland Police Service (QPS) to flood-affected North Queensland communities following Ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Personnel from HMAS Cairns and 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment are providing local emergency assistance, in support of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel, to those Cairns residents affected by flooding.
Following a request from QPS, via the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Defence will work with Queensland emergency authorities to assist the Queensland Government to transport up to 150 emergency service personnel plus equipment to Cairns and provide emergency rotary wing support in the Cairns region to provide immediate safety of life assistance to isolated residents as directed by emergency authorities.
the relief on their faces when we arrived.
“There are people who have lived in this community for a very long time and say they have never seen anything like this."
The Commanding Officer of Cairns, Commander Alfonso Santos, said Defence helicopters evacuated about 290 civilians from Wujal Wujal in North Queensland from December 19 to 21.
“Defence will remain responsive to changing requirements and continue to adjust to meet the needs of affected communities as identified by the Queensland Government and the Local Disaster Management Group – Cairns Region," Commander Santos said.
ADF personnel have moved more than 10 tonnes of stores, including food and medical supplies into remote communities by Army helicopters. They also transported Red Cross personnel.
The Commander of Joint Task Group 629.3, Brigadier Richard Peace, said he was proud of the efforts of his group in supporting the North Queensland communities.
“Our soldiers are mucking in by supporting local and state emergency services personnel, and together, under very challenging environmental circumstances, doing whatever they can to support the people of Cairns and surrounding communities,” Brigadier Peace said.
Defence is continuing to provide support to isolated communities through the evacuation of people and transportation of supplies.
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