The Honourable Anna Bligh
31/12/2010
Other states sending aid to Queensland
Premier Anna Bligh today thanked the New South Wales and Victorian Governments for their commitment of relief personnel to assist with the flood response and recovery in Queensland.
The Premier visited flood affected communities in Bundaberg and Rockhampton with the Prime Minister today and said the extra personnel would go a long way to assisting those in need.
"Our hardworking emergency services personnel and volunteers are doing a fantastic job dealing with these extraordinary floodwaters," Ms Bligh said.
"I want to sincerely thank our southern neighbours for their welcome contribution during this difficult time."
"These additional personnel will relieve exhausted staff and volunteers across the state and in particular, begin the difficult job of rebuilding and recovery."
"This is a marathon, not a sprint and where we can, we need to relieve our dedicated staff and volunteers."
Around thirty volunteers will arrive from Victoria next week along with four to six Instant Management Team staff.
NSW will send twenty operations centre staff.
Arrangements for where these volunteers will deploy are still being made. Some will certainly be based at the Emergency Coordination Centre at Kedron to assist with planning recovery efforts, and others will sent to at-risk areas as the need arises.
"Many of the staff at EMQ have been working tirelessly since Christmas Day to ensure our state is well prepared for these unprecedented weather events."
"Visiting Rockhampton and Bundaberg today and Emerald yesterday, I was again reminded of the incredible resilience and community spirit of Queenslanders."
"On behalf of all Queenslanders, but particularly those hit hardest by these floods, I want to thank the people of New South Wales and Victoria for their support.
"The most important thing to do at the moment is to ensure residents remain safe and I pay tribute to the fantastic work all emergency personnel and volunteers are doing across the State."
