The memory of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Marcia across central Queensland and the North Burnett 12 months ago today remains fresh in the minds of all who were in her path, but some say the benefits have outweighed the pain.
Eidsvold’s Tex and Bronwyn Burnham still recall the sight confronting them when they got their quad bikes to Boogalgopal Creek.
“Massive blue gums had hurtled down,” Bronwyn recalled. “Kilometres of poly pipe were never seen again.”
The couple have 30km of creek to contend with, and 22 creek crossings, and saw it expand from 20 feet wide to 200 feet in some places.
It resulted in an expensive six months of restoration but they’re not complaining.
“The paddocks are better than they’ve ever been – that’s the evidence of Marcia we are left with,” Bronwyn said.
“Our grass has recovered a lot. We don’t mind floods – our cattle can get up in the hills.
“We put out a lot of money in reconstruction but the short term pain is outweighed by the gains.”
Husband Tex said that if a cyclone were to make its presence felt again today they would probably be rubbing their hands together, hoping that it meant time not feeding molasses at a later date.
“We would also be hoping the farmers in the district didn’t get flattened this time,” Bronwyn said.
The cyclone was estimated to have caused hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage, along with similar amounts to insurers.
Reminders
The Burnham’s neighbours, Mark and Amanda Salisbury have always said their damage was less than that experienced in more central areas but a photograph of Mark inspecting the flood damage was central to Queensland Country Life’s reporting of the disaster.
The couple saw a bigger run in Boogalgopal Creek than in either 2011 or 2013 floods and a lot of damage to roads and fencing once again.
Grass is now softening the scars but Amanda says the reminders of the flood are still there.
“The watercourse has changed quite a bit. So much sand was redistributed and banks gouged out.”
Despite rebuilding kilometres of fencing and creek crossings, Marcia wasn’t devastating in terms of losing stock for Mark and Amanda.
“You learn to bounce back,” Amanda said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attended a morning tea for SES volunteers from the Livingstone and Rockhampton shire districts to mark one year since Cyclone Marcia, when he visited the central coast last weekend.
The Category 5 cyclone blasted Yeppoon, Emu Park and the Capricorn Coast region, causing massive damage on February 20, last year.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry MP, who lives on the Capricorn Coast, hosted the Prime Minister.
“It was an exciting opportunity for SES volunteers to spend some time with the PM in a relaxed atmosphere so he could genuinely chat to them and thank them for their contribution to our local community,” Ms Landry said.
“They put in an sterling effort to help during last year’s cyclone recovery phase.”
Livingstone-Rockhampton SES Controller Eddie Cowie and Capricorn Rescue Helicopter CEO Mark Fewtrell attended the morning tea along with 60 staff and volunteers crews.
SES volunteers were represented from many towns, including Emu Park and Yeppoon.
The Prime Minister paid special tribute to the volunteers who played a big role in cyclone recovery and took the time to snap many ‘selfies’ with them.
New deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce also dropped by the morning tea.
Shortly after the cyclone last year, Mr Joyce visited the area and spoke to local farmers about the devastation to their properties and businesses. That trip included the Wilson’s hydroponic lettuce farm near Emu Park, as well as local pineapple plantations.