Five months after the unprecedented flood which turned parts of north west Queensland into a vast inland sea, producers are being asked to count the cost of the disaster.
Graziers and producers from across the north are being asked to provide estimates of stock and infrastructure losses, as well as the support services which they accessed in the wake of the flood.
The data will be used to gain both a greater picture of the losses incurred in the monsoon, and to help the Queensland government evaluate and shape future natural disaster recovery services.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the results would be evaluated with the support of all levels of government and industry partners to ensure ongoing recovery support met the needs of producers.
"Producers across the north-west have been working incredibly hard to recover from the extraordinary damage from the monsoonal rains in January and February, and we have been working to support them along with councils, other state government departments, the Commonwealth Government, AgForce and other industry partners," Mr Furner said.
He said most impacted property holders would have finished mustering and would have a greater idea about the impacts on their stock and infrastructure.
"This 10-15min survey asks producers about updated stock and infrastructure losses now that most have finished mustering and how their recovery is progressing.
"These answers will help evaluate how useful the current measures of support have been."
Mr Furner said the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Flood Recovery Coordinator David Phelps has worked with local, state and federal government, AgForce and industry partners to develop the survey so producers only have to fill in one survey to give the information we need.
"We will share the data with our partners however rest assured that individuals cannot be identified in the results," Mr Furner said.
Key agriculture lobby group AgForce has also surveryed producers to get a clearer picture of the devastation the flood caused.
At the end of May, AgForce data suggested livestock losses would reach about 625,000 cattle and 48,000 sheep.
At that time, they estimated producers had lost 10,000km of fencing, 16,000km of farm roads, 1000km of water pipe and nearly 800 dams and watering points.
The total cost of the disaster was expected to easily top $1 billion.
Mr Furner said all primary producers in the north west would be sent the survey via email.
He moved to assure producers that their details would remain confidential.
"If producers have any concerns about privacy, they can contact their local DAF extension officer. They can also help them fill out the questionnaire if they don't wish to do it online.
"I'd like to thank producers in advance for participating in this survey to help us continue to support the north-west in recovery and to prosper."
Source - https://www.northqueenslandregister.com.au