The central wholesale market in Brisbane has tentatively opened for business again today as floodwaters gradually recede across the Queensland state capital.
Waist-high flooding had closed the market by late last week, but lowering water levels and cleanup efforts over the weekend have meant the market was able to reopen in a limited capacity this morning.
While the Brisbane Markets’ main trading area is still closed, a covered part of the market usually used for storage was opened to business 6am local today, and power is being provided via portable generators.
“It’s very limited trading, but we had 500 trucks come in this morning,” Brisbane Markets’ Vanessa Kennedy told Fruitnet.com.
Clean-up teams are still working hard through most of the market removing the 10mm of mud deposited by the floodwaters, spoilt produce and other debris.
“As soon as the water receded, it was like a disaster site,” Ms Kennedy said.
“There were sheep carcases caught in barbed wire, and car bodies and packing crates piled up. Yesterday there was truck after truck removing mountainous piles of rubbish the size of houses. The mud is even infectious - our CEO is in the hospital right now, after he got a gash that became infected.”
The cleanup is likely to continue at the markets for weeks to come, with early damage estimates well into the millions of dollars.
“I certainly expect the damage to be extensive,” Fruitnet.com was told by Jonathan Eccles, CEO of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council, which has offices in the Brisbane Markets.
“Over the weekend there was a lot of cleaning up done; it was a really sterling effort by all. The rotting produce can really become a problem if you don’t clean it up quickly.”
The damage from the floods is expected to be felt by the Queensland produce industry for at least another six months, particularly for farmers in the Darling Downs region.
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