DESPITE suffering more than $20,000 in damages to his property after the floods, a Bromelton dairy farmer is counting his blessings and has high hopes for the future.
Mark Platell said there was a significant amount of damage to his fences, crops and soil, which was washed away during the aftermath of ex-Cyclone Debbie.
“We were terribly lucky the house wasn’t flooded but the damage outside was really bad,” he said.
Mr Platell said he had enough warning to prepare his Bromelton and Tamrookum farms and safely secure equipment and cattle.
“The Tamrookum farm was fine, there was no losses in equipment or cattle from both farms and we have moved the cows (from Bromelton) to the other farm until our fencing is fixed,” he said.
Mr Platell, who sells milk to Parmalat, said during the floods on March 30, he found his 150 Bromelton cows standing in the water on the highest nob of his property before moving them into his shed.
Mr Platell said the night was spent monitoring the rising water levels and bolting the front door shut with his wife Colleen as his three grandchildren slept.
Ms Platell said she could see the logs and bales of hay being caught on the fences and saw the water rise up to their house windows.
“We saw the children’s monkey bars and trampoline that were secured down with pegs get washed away into the cultivation paddock – that was really sad to see,” she said.
“It took a good day for the water to subside to see the full picture of the devastation.”
Mr Platell said he had lived through many floods but this time was different and he was shocked to see the amount of water raging through his property.
“This would have been my fourth major flood since ‘74 with a few minor ones but this one I am going to remember,” he said.
Mr Platell said the 150 cows were moved to the Tamrookum farm after the water subsided three days later and milking was not delayed but the soil on his Bromelton farm was ruined.
“We are so far behind after the floods – we should be growing winter crop right about now – but we’ll start chipping away at things and keep repairing,” he said.
“The damage could have been much worse so we’re very lucky the house is alright.”
Jocelyn Garcia
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
