Queensland Floods

[DIEHARD]

NRL & QRL donate $100K to flood affected clubs

The National Rugby League and Queensland Rugby League have today joined forces to donate $100,000 to support the rebuilding of grass-roots Rugby League clubs devastated by flooding throughout Queensland.

NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, and QRL Managing Director, Mr Ross Livermore, today announced the funding package to assist grass-roots clubs to repair or replace facilities and equipment either destroyed or damaged by the flooding.

?Rugby League is part of the fabric of many of the communities affected by this disaster and it?s important that we help these clubs in the rebuilding process,? Mr Gallop said today.

?While this funding will assist grass-roots clubs, I would certainly encourage Rugby League fans to give generously to the appeals being held for the families in affected areas so they can begin to rebuild their lives.?

Mr Livermore added: ?The way the people in these communities have responded to this disaster is inspiring.

?Rugby League has a special connection with Queenslanders and we want to do what we can to help any affected clubs get back on their feet.?

Grass-roots Rugby League clubs affected by the disaster are asked to contact their QRL Division Manager for assistance, with the QRL to administer the allocation of funds to clubs in need.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[onlooker]

Good work NRL and obviously QRL.

I bet when the next time some ill informed idiot starts having a go at the organisations that run our game they will conveniently forget all the good as well as this those organisations do.

[DIEHARD]

Broncos Donate $25,000 to QLD Flood Appeal

The NRMA Insurance Broncos have dug in for the flood victims with captain Darren Lockyer handing over a $25,000 donation to the appeal on television last night.

Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Dane Carlaw and Ben Hunt were all present for the Channel 9 telethon last night as over $11 million dollars was raised.

Hodges, Carlaw and Hunt all spent the night answering phones and taking donations at the Queensland Government?s call centre at Zillmere.

New Broncos? chief executive Paul White, who has family that live in the flood flashpoint of Rockhampton, also joined the players at the call centre.

Meanwhile Lockyer joined a host of celebrities on stage and handed over a $25,000 donation to the appeal on behalf of the Brisbane Broncos.

The Broncos will play a trial match at Rockhampton?s Browne Park on February 19 that will also help lift the spirits of the town

http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

The pictures and videos coming out of effected regions are absolutely heartbreaking and terrorfying. My thoughts are to the victims.

And to the rest of the state, stay alert and stay safe.

Then we rebuild...

[DIEHARD]

How is everyone holding up?

My area is luckily unaffected for now. And it seems most of my friends and family are doing ok.

Worried about my girlfriend in the city, mgiht bail her out.

Just stocked up on supplies.

I know the shops in the city are shut and other shops around Brissie are being picked clean.

[Ryan]

My town is about the only one in CQ that hasn't been flooded, but people from all directions are raiding our grocery stores cause they cant get to their own. Add to that, the chain of supply is already restricted as is. While the shelves are empty for the local citizens, the shop owners aren't complaining - business is booming!

[TITAN PETE]

My town is about the only one in CQ that hasn't been flooded, but people from all directions are raiding our grocery stores cause they cant get to their own. Add to that, the chain of supply is already restricted as is. While the shelves are empty for the local citizens, the shop owners aren't complaining - business is booming!

Thats the 1 good thing that will come out of this disaster , many businesses that may have been struggling will now have an enormous amount of work heading their way , Builders,Carpet Layers,Landscaping,car repairs etc,etc,etc & the list will go on & that will have a flow on effect with everyone , the State will rebuild & the economy will boom , hopefully

[TITAN PETE]

Cullen to help NRL assist flood victims

AAP Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:54:59
Former Brisbane Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen has been recruited by the NRL to co-ordinate further fund-raising and assistance packages to flood victims in both Queensland and NSW.

Cullen started as Broncos CEO in 2003, before resigning at the end of last season.

The respected administrator has been involved with the Brisbane club since 1989 and has a close affinity with the city which has been left devastated under the deluge of water.

The NRL began their aid on January 6 when they partnered the QRL in donating $100,000 to assistance programmes. Individual clubs have also announced fund-raising measures and direct community assistance in sending players to work in local clean-ups.

League chief executive David Gallop says the need for support will be ongoing and the NRL will work with government and community authorities to be there for the long road ahead.

"This is part of a long-term commitment," said Gallop.

"Rugby league is a major part of these communities and the need of those communities is being felt across the game.

"It requires a structured response and the NRL has enlisted the services of Bruno to co-ordinate a game-wide approach that compliments the government and community priorities."

Cullen said on Thursday he would work with the clubs, the NRL and the leagues to ensure that the good intentions of all parties could be harnessed to ease the pain many are feeling as the crisis continues.

"As bad as it is at the moment, we still do not know how devastating the final outcome will be," he said.

"There are many ways the game can help and certainly fund-raising plays a big role, but we need to go well beyond that in helping people rebuild communities as well as homes and businesses.

"We will need to work in with both the authorities and the communities themselves.

"Making sure that kids still have the chance to play footy, that they can support their local teams and see that their NRL heroes are playing for them isimportant as well.

"It's just as important that the NRL players whose own families are affected know that they are contributing.

"Already it's great to see clubs getting in from the start and hopefully we can coordinate things in a way that means we are creating opportunities over the long haul."

[Ryan]

Thats the 1 good thing that will come out of this disaster , many businesses that may have been struggling will now have an enormous amount of work heading their way , Builders,Carpet Layers,Landscaping,car repairs etc,etc,etc & the list will go on & that will have a flow on effect with everyone , the State will rebuild & the economy will boom , hopefully

No, no, no, no, no - If the economy is booming, it'll be due to the extraordinary efforts of Captain Blight! - Sorry, just a vision into the next election campaign

Apparently my humble town made the national news last night, thanks to the brawls at the local supermarkets. Now we have a cop stationed in every isle......

[DIEHARD]

Keep us posted how things go up north mate, hope everything is well.

[Ryan]

Keep us posted how things go up north mate, hope everything is well.

Things aren't that bad up here - apart from Rockhampton. But everyone seems to have accepted what has happened there and are just waiting for the water to go, after all they had about a weeks notice that it was coming. My town has had some rain, but no flooding to any extent in town or over our highways. It's just the dumbass' in the region that are panicking for no reason.

Groceries - There is an unfounded assumption that the grocery stores are about to shut down because they can't get supplies. So everyone is buying 2-3 times more than they need(or usually get), which leaves f-all on the shelves for everyone else - which of course in turn only fuels the panic of running out of groceries even more. So the people who are going in and buying ridiculous amounts of the essentials (fresh milk & bread) seem to be causing fights - thus the embarrassing situation of needing police officers supervising our grocery stores

Fuel - There is an even dumber assumption that this little town is going to run out of fuel - despite the fact that our port actually imports alot of the fuel for QLD, and has not been affected by the weather
So there has been massive line-ups at every service station in a rush to fuel up not only there cars, but every jerry can they can find....

All in all - The biggest threat up here is the abundance of f-wits who don't have the brain capacity to rationalise the events happening in our region. Once again, this town has not been affected by flooding at all. We are just getting a few extra shoppers in town who cant access the shops in Rockhampton.

[TITAN PETE]

Things aren't that bad up here - apart from Rockhampton. But everyone seems to have accepted what has happened there and are just waiting for the water to go, after all they had about a weeks notice that it was coming. My town has had some rain, but no flooding to any extent in town or over our highways. It's just the dumbass' in the region that are panicking for no reason.

Groceries - There is an unfounded assumption that the grocery stores are about to shut down because they can't get supplies. So everyone is buying 2-3 times more than they need(or usually get), which leaves f-all on the shelves for everyone else - which of course in turn only fuels the panic of running out of groceries even more. So the people who are going in and buying ridiculous amounts of the essentials (fresh milk & bread) seem to be causing fights - thus the embarrassing situation of needing police officers supervising our grocery stores

Fuel - There is an even dumber assumption that this little town is going to run out of fuel - despite the fact that our port actually imports alot of the fuel for QLD, and has not been affected by the weather
So there has been massive line-ups at every service station in a rush to fuel up not only there cars, but every jerry can they can find....

All in all - The biggest threat up here is the abundance of f-wits who don't have the brain capacity to rationalise the events happening in our region. Once again, this town has not been affected by flooding at all. We are just getting a few extra shoppers in town who cant access the shops in Rockhampton.

Mate u may have to blame Hollywood for the panic buying

[Cowboy Titan]

For those Maccas fans out there - stock is running out as I'm told their distribution centre went under and they also can't get supplies up from Sydney. The Upper Coomera store closes tomorrow morning until further notice.

[DIEHARD]

Free public transport until 21 January 2011

Dear customers,

We wish to advise that from today (Friday 14 January) until Friday 21 January 2011, the State Government is providing free public transport in South East Queensland to help with the initial flood recovery.

We understand that many of you may have not a car due to the recent floods. By making travel on the network free for eight days we are aiming to keep unnecessary cars off the road, while also helping people get to key locations such as shopping centres, and help others if needed.

The free travel applies to all bus, train and Ipswich FlexiLink services on the TransLink network. This also includes free travel on Airtrain services to Brisbane’s Airports. Unfortunately, ferry services are not operating until further notice.

Travel will continue to be free until the last service on Friday 21 January.
You will not need to use your go card during this period. You DO NOT need to touch on and off. You just need to board your service.

We thank you for your patience during this difficult time as we rebuild our public transport network.

More information about free travel on all TransLink services.

Please continue to check the TransLink website for the latest travel information.


Your sincerely

Peter Strachan
Chief Executive Officer
TransLink

Source: http://www.translink.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Here is what you need to know in Queensland's big clean-up - and how you help

VOLUNTEERS will be able to take part in Brisbane's flood clean-up from Saturday by registering at one of four council centres.

Buses will be used to take the volunteers to the worst affected areas from 7.30am.

Registration will be open from 7am.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has asked people who go to the centres to be self-sufficient and bring shovels and brooms.

Volunteers should also wear long shirts, pants, a hat, bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent and have enough food and water to last them through a four or eight hour shift.

To register, go to the main foyer of the Boondall Entertainment Centre, the main gate of the Doomben Race Course, the auditorium at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens or the MacGregor State High School auditorium.

Cr Newman also unveiled a battle plan for the city's flood victims to begin the huge task of cleaning up, but they are guidelines all Queenslanders can use to repair their damaged homes.

Cr Newman had several tips for people going back into flood-ravaged homes.

- Seek out precious items like jewellery that might have been forgotten during the evacuation to make sure it is not thrown out.

- Bag up and take out all perishable food out. Brisbane City Council will be providing skips for that in affected suburbs over the next one to three days.

- Decide what furniture you want to save and take the rest out to the pavement. Pile it up there and take a digital record for insurance purposes.

- Finally, start to clean the place out from the top down.

The Courier-Mail has compiled its own guide to the clean up process. It has advice on areas of concern for flood victims such as money, insurance, drinking water, power, roads and the availability of fresh food.

There is also advice and contact numbers for people looking for ways to help their fellow Queenslanders, either through donations or volunteer work.

Health concerns - Dr Jeanette Young, Queensland's Chief Health Officer, said there were several things to remember for flooded residents to avoid health problems.

- Flood water could be dirty or toxic, so where possible stay out of the water.

- Residents need to try to get rid of stagnant water; throw away perishable goods if the power supply has been off for more than 24 hours; and immediately throw away any food that has come into contact with river or flood water.

If you are looking to help, cash donations are still needed to help sustain the many flood victims forced out of their homes.

Volunteers helping out everywhere, but generally more resources and equipment are needed than people. How you can help.

In the Grantham area and Lockyer Valley, there is an urgent need for clean drinking water, as well as heavy machinery to assist with the clean up of devastated areas.

Cr Newman said Brisbane will be divided into five zones for the clean-up.

Power will be restored to the area once roads are cleared.

Rallying points will be set up from Saturday where volunteers can sign up and will be directed to areas where they can help out.

Sludge sticking to concrete around the city will be tough to move but Cr Newman said residents should resist the temptation to use fire hoses.

Flood-affected Brisbane residents and business will be able access $100 payments and rebates to assist in the clean-up efforts.

Cr Newman said food waste would be the first in a round of disposals.

About 25,000 residents in Brisbane's west have been sitting in the dark overnight in flooded homes with no food, power or running water - but relief is in sight.

The suburbs of Bellbowrie, Moggill, Pullenvale, Karana Downs and Mt Crosby have become isolated by floodwaters.

Essential food supplies, baby formula, nappies and pet food will bring some relief for residents in Brisbane's western suburbs for the first time today.

Queensland Police and the Australian Defence Force will deliver essential supplies to the isolated community of Bellbowrie from 8am today.

The supplies will be available from the evacuation centre at Moggill Uniting Church at the corner of Moggill Rd and Kangaroo Gully Rd.

Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au