With floodwaters receding and emergency alerts canceled on 11 March the cleanup is underway across the Scenic Rim.
Government disaster recovery payments have been announced for eligible residents in areas within the Scenic Rim that suffered significant impacts from ex tropical cyclone Alfred.
This comes after local authorities kickstarted the recovery phase on Tamborine Mountain with a town hall event held on Tamborine Mountain, where homes were without power, water, phone and internet.
Residents filled the Presbyterian church on Main Street to hear from Mayor Tom Sharp, who returned from an overseas trip the day before.
The community forum was initiated by local resident Arran Hassell, who reminded those present that they were on church property generously opened for the event.
The Presbyterian Church had also served as a community shelter and sandbagging station during the disaster event.
Mayor Sharp congratulated the community on its resilience, explaining that he was unable to access his own property on his return.
“I got very close, within a kilometre of my home yesterday,” he said.
“Not sure if it’s there still, but we’ll find out in due course. Not to be too concerned about that at this stage.”
Cr Sharp commended Local Government Disaster Management Group chair Steve Moriarty for his efforts during the weather event.
He said he had spoken to Queensland Premier David Crissafulli.
“There’s 118,000 houses that are without power at this point in time, but I did point out to the Premier the community on Tamborine Mountain, the community Beechmont and also Illinbah, they were the first out when the power went down,” Cr Sharp said.
“Last time they were more than two weeks without power.
“This is the largest community in Australia not on reticulated water. I emphasized the need for that power restoration.”
Cr Hay advised residents about what to do with green waste and storm debris with Council pickups scheduled in the days ahead.
“They won’t be collecting it immediately so you will have some time to get your waste down on the verge- please put it out neat and tidy and don’t have any bits sticking out on the road causing yet another hazard,” she said.
Cr Hay also acknowledged the efforts of Cr Kerri Cryer at Tamborine.
“Tamborine Village has had severe flooding and people are getting around via boat,” she said.
“So just bear that in mind, people wanting to get from one spot to another having to rely on rowboat and Kerri is doing an amazing job down there trying to coordinate everything.”
Residents were told an NBN hub had been set up outside the Presbyterian Church for people to access free wifi, that hospitals and schools were being prioritised for generators and that Council would be collecting green waste from residential streets. Skip bins had been installed at the Long Road Sports Complex at Tamborine Mountain and Graceleigh Park in Beechmont.
The gathering also heard from Energex operational general manager Steve Leadbetter, who said work crews were working hard to restore energy to 6,700 people without power on Tamborine Mountain and with 100 reports of wires down, helicopters would be used to identify areas of concern.
“In terms of getting power on by Sunday, we are aiming to beat that timeline,” he said.
“We’re not going anywhere, our staff are staying here to restore supply.”
