The record floodwaters that inundated parts of Queensland last month are continuing to slowly recede from South Australia’s outback community of Innamincka, travelling downstream to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
However, the ABC reports that the real challenge for the community and its surroundings will begin once the floodwaters clear.
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) – which has expanded its call-out for donations to meet the recovery needs of the growing number of remote, rural and regional communities – says disaster recovery typically takes 12 to 18 months, but it can take longer.
The organisation’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery lead, Nina O’Brien, told the ABC there were a whole range of nuances or aspects of disasters that continue to emerge over time.
It will take many Outback communities years to reciver from the flooding. PIC: FRRR
“I think disasters such as the 2009 fires in Victoria have taught us a lot about how long it takes to recover,” she said. “When a disaster occurs … all of the roads are wiped out, often all at once, and there are vast stretches … that need repairing.”
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that 2025 has already proven a challenging year for remote, rural and regional communities across states and territories.
“When remote and Outback areas experience disasters, the impacts can be catastrophic for those communities on so many fronts,” she said. “Yet they are often less visible and therefore, less supported …. impacts will include stock and property losses, isolation, disruption to economies and wider supply chains, and increased demand on not-for-profit organisations.”
And she said all of those things could impact on the ‘mental health, wellbeing and the prosperity of those who work tirelessly to produce food and fibre for the world and the communities that support them’.
In Innamincka, the treasurer of the local Sporting Club and station manager at Cordillo Downs, Janet Brook, told the ABC it was frustrating that fixing roads wasn’t always prioritised.
“You get these rains, and you get massive damage issues, and then you throw the floods in on top of it, that’s even worse,” she said. “A stitch in time saves nine, if they could invest a little bit up this way, I think things would be better for the future.”
Ms Brook said locals were waiting for floodwaters to recede further to see the extent of the damage.
The ABC reports that, although still partially under water, residents have been told that they will need to wait until engineers can declare the Nappa Merrie Bridge safe before being able to drive on it.
Large portions of the approaching road have been washed away, and it is unclear what other structural damage has occurred.
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These areas are still disaster areas.
We’ll be heading to them in about a years time when they’ve almost recovered fully.
We’d be nuisance if we went now, they aren’t ready for tourist hordes yet.
They’re still cleaning the mud out of their houses & businesses.
If the government stopped wasting money on overseas aid, poly perks etc they could give that to the communities in dire trouble the funds to get back on their feet. My option anyway
We get the best “pollies”money can buy !!!
No votes out there
Yep. Heading out to Thargo for Music in the Mulga 5 June and the Shearers Shindig a week later. They are a lovely bunch of resilient people and they are looking forward to money coming into town.
Natural disasters are a way of life. Mother Nature determines these factors as a way to repair and/or reproduce. No im not a tree hugger but it is natures way of repairing what we have done to not only Australia but every other country in world
were looking forward to seeing outback queensland when it’s cleaned up .
We are so looking forward to visiting these catastrophically damaged communities post-flood, when it is safe to do so. We’d love to be part of the recovery process, but disability precludes that; so the next best thing is to head out there and spend some money!
That’s my thought too, saving all my spending money for a journey into these communities as soon as they throw out the welcome, they will know when it is safe for us to arrive.
Would be good to know what assistance is required, where and when so that Caravanners/Travellers could volunteer and assist in outback communities as they travel around. Obviously not till safe for all, but many of us would stop for a week or two and volunteer if we knew what was needed where and when.
Perhaps there’s a website that lists help required, but I can’t find one.
We have put off our trip this year due to the floods, and hopefully we can go next year.