Disasters cost Queensland primary industry US$1.7b
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Natural disasters have cost Queensland's primary industries sector in Australia up to 1.7 billion AU dollars (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) in lost production, the state government said on Thursday.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said the combined effects of unseasonal rainfall before summer, December-January flooding, and cyclones Anthony and Yasi have caused the primary industries sector huge losses.
"The combined effects of these natural disaster has seen losses to cotton, grains, sugarcane and tropical fruit, in particular bananas in an area stretching from north of Cairns to the New South Wales border," the minister said in a statement on Thursday.
He said cotton and grain farmers in central, south and southwest Queensland were looking at flood losses in the range of 125-250 million AU dollars (125-250 million U.S. dollars).
He said cane, banana and tropical fruit growing areas on the north Queensland coast and Tablelands were hit by the full force of Cyclone Yasi.
"Sugarcane losses due to Cyclone Yasi are estimated at around 200-300 million AU dollars (200-300 million U.S. dollars)," he said.
"Close to 100 percent of the banana crop on the coast between Innisfail and Cardwell, with estimated losses between 100-200 million AU dollars (100-200 million U.S. dollars)."
Other horticultural losses including papaya, lychees, avocados and other tropical fruits are estimated at 275-400 million AU dollars (275-400 million U.S. dollars).
Mulherin said fisheries and aquaculture industries also suffered from the disasters, with an estimated 25 million AU dollars (25 million U.S. dollars) bill to cover gear and equipment losses, impacts on fish habitat and damage to aquaculture farms.
"Our priority at this time is to work with the federal government to provide the most appropriate assistance to enable primary producers and small businesses to rebuild, replant and recover," he said.
"Everyone can play a part in helping our primary industries sector get back on its feet by buying local produce."
