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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Mr LAWLOR: I refer to page 1-14 dot point 1 of the Ministerial Portfolio Statement. How has your department responded to Cyclone Larry?
Mr MULHERIN: I visited the affected area with other Queensland and Australian government ministers to gain a firsthand understanding of the magnitude of the devastation caused by Cyclone Larry.
Outstanding intergovernmental cooperation has resulted in the most generous assistance package ever for a natural disaster being developed to assist producers to get back into business. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries staff responded immediately to engage producers, industry stakeholders and other businesses in the value chain to gather intelligence relating to the damage and the impact on producers. This data formed the basis of the initial impact analysis developed by my department.
Six primary industries cyclone advice service centres were established across the region to provide specialist technical advice; science advice for tree crops, sugarcane and bananas; biosecurity services; and advice on assistance provided by the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority. The department's central business information centre increased its operating hours to provide assistance to primary producers seven days per week-that is the call centre. The department and the RSPCA worked together to provide shelter for companion animals that had lost homes or had to be surrendered as a result of Cyclone Larry. Further, the department facilitated the development of industry recovery action plans under General Cosgrove's Operation Recovery Industry Action Group, and Mr Bruce Turner was the deputy chair of that group. Nine industry led working groups were established to develop the plans. This was successfully achieved through a high level of cooperation between all industry members on the working group.
Operation Farm Clear, a $5 million initiative of this government and led by the department, is a joint working arrangement between government and industry that addresses problems preventing local primary producers from getting back on track. As at 16 July, there were 16 work crews in operation with a labour force of more than 80 on the tablelands and the coast; 129 farms have been assisted, with 107 jobs completed through this initiative.
More specifically, the dairy industry was provided with generators and portable dairies to enable cows to be milked as a matter of high priority. Some dairy cows required treatment for mastitis. The department arranged for veterinarians and antibiotics to be supplied.
Aquaculture needs were also urgent and the department worked to provide generators for the maintenance of critical life support systems for aquaculture stock. Generators were also supplied to power freezers to prevent loss of frozen produce. In the recovery phase, the department has developed the Assessment of the Economic and Related Impacts of Cyclone Larry on Far North Queensland report.
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 4:13 PM
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