Flooded communities require urgent support

ISOLATED communities experiencing record flood levels and facing further heavy rainfall need urgent assistance, the LNP said today.

Leader of the Opposition John-Paul Langbroek said reports from electorate staff in Roma paint a frightening picture of communities in crisis.

 “Flooding in Roma has already exceeded the historic highest level and waters are still rising,” Mr Langbroek said.

 “The last report was that the flooding had reached 7.5m, 0.3m above the previous highest recorded, and still rising with about 100 homes already flooded. “We also understand that critical community leaders are stranded outside Roma and unable to access it by road.

 “The community’s immediate needs are for appropriate transport such as helicopters to move people into safe areas, and to evacuate people under threat.

 “At the moment they are relying on their own limited resources and they need help.

 Mr Langbroek said the government should seek urgent assistance from the Commonwealth to assist with the emergency.

 “The Queensland government needs to act urgently to request immediate Australian Defence Force assistance, in the first instance to protect the lives of people affected by these record floods,” he said.

 “The ADF has a proud record supporting Queensland communities during similar disasters in the past.

 “Nothing would send a clearer message to them now that heaven and hell are being to moved to assist them than the presence of appropriate ADF resources such as helicopters and boots on the ground.”