Defence strengthens flood relief effort

Defence strengthens flood relief effort in south Queensland

An Australian Defence Force (ADF) Emergency Support Force (ESF) has commenced operations in Roma, Mitchell and St George to assist in the flood clean up and recovery effort.

Defence issued the order to deploy the ESF this week after a reconnaissance team identified the need for additional support to flood affected areas.

Commander Army 7th Brigade, Brigadier Greg Bilton, said the ESF will strive to assist the hardest hit communities as quickly and effectively as possible.

“The ESF will complement the State Emergency Services (SES), local authorities and residents in their tireless effort to repair the damage and minimise the hardship caused by the floods and help restore liveable conditions to all those affected.”

“We will commit up to 120 defence personnel from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) which forms part of 7th Brigade and the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Support Unit,” Brigadier Bilton said.

In circumstances where civilian resources are inadequate, unavailable or cannot be mobilised in time, emergency Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) arrangements enable the ADF to contribute in order to save human life, alleviate suffering and prevent loss of animal life or property.

“The reconnaissance team conducted ground and aerial reconnaissance of the flooded areas, scoped specific tasking and logistic requirements and liaised with the Disaster Coordination Centre (DCC) and the Queensland Department of Emergency Services,” Brigadier Bilton said.

7th Brigade led the ADF main effort during the cleanup of the devastating January 2011 floods.