THE long, soggy trek back to normality has begun for Bundaberg residents and primary producers after what is officially the worst flooding disaster in the town's recorded history.
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Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) is operating again after the severe weather caused an office closure.
BFVG said on its Facebook page Brisbane Markets, wholesalers and Lindsay Australia donated and transported about 42 tonne of fruit, vegetables and eggs to evacuation centres for the initial response. Local farmers also donated fresh produce.
John Roach, CEO of the Victorian wholesale markets body Fresh State, told ABC Radio that southern markets kept an eye on Queensland's flooding.
"The longer term there in Bundaberg is where crops have been planted. So tomatoes, capsicums, beans, zucchinis, peas, etcetera, that would normally be around from April, May, June onward - they are going to be affected. To what extent, we don't know," Mr Roach said.
The transport delays due to road closures have had a domino effect in southern states.
Alex Livingstone, CEO, Growcom, called on the two major retailers to support growers in coming weeks. "We know that Coles and Woolworths are already starting to ring around to find out about the supply of product lines in the weeks ahead," Mr Livingstone said.
"We ask them to support our horticulture growers and give them time to harvest and transport their crops under this difficult situation rather than turn immediately to imports, which will devastate the industry.
"Consumers in turn should insist on only Australian produce in their local stores to get behind our growers."
Woolworths siad it would match customer donations to the Salvation Army's flood appeal with a goal to raise $1 million in one week for affected areas.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan toured the Bundaberg region, as did opposition leader Tony Abbott and Senator Barnaby Joyce.
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd hosted Nationals leader and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss and Shadow Minister for Agriculture John Cobb on a two-day tour of affected areas last week.
Mr O'Dowd said much had been made about the impact on Gladstone and Bundaberg, however the flood had taken a massive toll on agricultural industries such as cropping, dairy, citrus and beef cattle as well.
"These industries are vital to the economy of Flynn and many, many livelihoods depend on them. Fences, yards and other infrastructure has been severely impacted and obviously there is a big cost associated with rebuilding," Mr O'Dowd said.
He said the timing of the Federal Government's Cabinet reshuffle was unfortunate. "I think this has clearly had some impact on the declaration of affected areas in Central Queensland, with the Minister responsible quitting on Saturday morning," he said.
Hinkler MP Paul Neville estimated the cost of rebuilding could be three or four times what it was after the 2010-11 floods.
"It's hundreds of millions of infrastructure that needs to come to the regional councils of Bundaberg and North Burnett and the Fraser Coast," he said.
"That money is absolutely critical and we need to get it moving quickly because we've got roads of North Bundaberg and some of you have seen the that are just unbelievable."
