THE JUNGLE DRUM: The good, bad and ugly of disasters like Ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper, extreme rain events
LAWRENCE MASON COLUMN
The post Jasper flood was certainly unprecedented, in living memory anyway. Records set in the Daintree, Bloomfield and Barron Rivers. The fact that so few lives were lost is amazing. Over 800mm fell over much of the region in 24hrs.
But while we didn’t lose lives, many of us lost houses, roads, waterlines, income and jobs. The losses range from minor to major. So how did we go? How did the ‘Resilient Coast’ to name a DSC report fair? Not very well it seems.
Most of the modelling looks at inundation from the east. Not from river rises. So we saw yellow zones flood when red zones stayed dry. We love our riverside and coast roads, and they did not do so well either.
Especially where they crossed mountain ranges. Our power network (where it is present) is over head for the most part and suffered in even the relatively light Category two winds. In the Daintree where a weird combination of politics and bull***t keeps the gennies roaring, we did well, but boy did this highlight just how much diesel and petrol we use!
The response has been good and bad. The generosity of fellow community members and others has been amazing. Well before any level of government was doing anything, fuel and food was being ferried in by a flotilla of tinnies and tour boats. At Cape Trib locals in backhoes and even small tractors were clearing the road to one lane and helping resident’s clear driveways.
On the day the barge arrived at Cape Trib with fuel and supplies, many hands made light work and by the end of the day we had the drums rolled up the beach and stored before the tender had left to get more! But this did highlight the lack of any suitable point here for resupply by sea. And the lack of machinery to unload.
It seemed to take forever for the road to be assessed. There were endless rounds of geotechs and others in high vis, but not a lot of actual work.
In fact, while there is no proper track over the Noah’s landslide and we are at day 28 and still no moves to clear it.
In the old days Billy Kettles in the Council dozer would have been up it for weeks. Apparently, despite the earth’s best intentions to go over the side, we can’t do that with machinery. These regulations that cause thousands of diesel burning trucks to smash our roads to bits taking dirt to who knows where need urgent revision.
The Douglas Shire Council is out of their depth in dealing with this disaster. The DSC crews and supervisors don’t have the gear or know how to deal with a disaster of this scale. The fact that there is has been no ADF help to clear roads, and no assistance with supervision is terrible. I am sure the intention is good, but we need help.
Over the last week I have attended meetings where we have seen the Premier, the Minister for Fires and Disasters, the Minister for Tourism, our local member, and the Mayor. Not to mention tourism leaders, advisors and various bureaucrats. Thus far other than fuel and supplies, offers of real help for businesses and staff have fallen short of what is needed. ‘Next week’ or ‘tomorrow’ are used often. Hopefully something is announced soon?
*Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been involved in farming, timber and tourism. He is a former board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, founding Chair of Daintree Marketing Co-operative, and has been a member of both Alexandra Bay and Mossman State High School P&C. He is also a member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in local issues.
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