Floods in inland Queensland have wiped out more than 150,000 cattle, sheep and goats, according to preliminary estimates.
AgForce General President Shane McCarthy said some areas had received two years of rainfall in four to five days.
In a statement, released today, he said the floods had “washed away for many their livelihoods built on generations of blood sweat and tears”.
“Early reports received back by The DPI of stock deaths (show the flood) has resulted in the loss of more than 150,000 head of cattle, sheep and goats, with this toll expected to climb in coming weeks and months,” he said.
“This record rain event has brought floodwaters twice the size of Victoria to Queensland’s southwest.”
Mr McCarthy said the floods were the worst in living memory, with some areas surpassing the usual benchmark of 1974.
“It has been hard for many to comprehend,” he said.
“Any stock losses are not good, and for those graziers who have lost 80 percent or more it is nothing short of catastrophic. This is all before we start to take in to account the infrastructure damage that is left in the wake of the floods.”
The statement said the mental health of people in the impacted areas would be an issue going forward.
“I encourage our urban cousins to visit once these communities are back on their feet and spend some welcome tourist dollars in those small communities,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Once it dries out and they start to pick themselves up, this part of Queensland will turn into wildlife wonder.”
The full statement is on the AgForce website.
